Shabbat Posting - Nov. 30, 2007

At a funeral yesterday, the wife of the deceased paid loving and eloquent tribute to her departed husband. She said, "Kurt taught me that so much of life is decided by what we permit ourselves to see." What a gem. What a simple and beautiful truth. Jeannie could have simply pointed out that life depends on our perspective but that would have led us to believe that vision depends more on the eye or the stance than the mind and the choice. When Kurt's son spoke yesterday, he recalled the painful moment in his early adulthood in which he told his parents that he was gay. He expected his father to shut down or to well up with anger but instead, after some silence, his dad said, "Well, I don't know much about that... so I suppose it's something I'll have to learn." Truly, life, happiness and love depend on what we permit ourselves to see.

Whose Life is It?

How much control do we have over the quality of our lives? A lot? Very little? Our marriage, professional success, retirement, family relationships, financial wherewithal? How much depends on our doing and on our daily and momentary choices? If we believe that most of our circumstances are beyond our control and influence then surely we live under the illusion of victimization. We are like the inexperienced chess player - always reacting to life's aggressive tactics. But if we accept another possible illusion - that our own thoughts and choices are immensely, immeasurably important, then we might find that life is quite different. We might see each relationship to person and matter as an opportunity for generosity, wisdom and fulfilment. We might then see how great a role our moods, attitudes and choices play in the course of our lives and in the realm of the lives of other people. We might possibly find the life that is our potential.

Video Coming to Our Website

Watch www.vosla.org for new additions. Videos of music and sermons from the High Holidays will be on-line soon.

Shabbat Posting - Nov. 24, 2007

Reb Nachman of Bratzlav taught, "You are wherever your thoughts are. Make sure your thoughts are where you want to be." How many books, DVDs and seminars have been sold on this elusive truth? Every wisdom tradition of value speaks to humanity of the power of thought and of our own potential to cause great and valuable change in our lives and in the lives of others. Shabbat Shalom.

Thanksgiving

It is the evening prior to Thanksgiving and I wish all of you a wonderful holiday in the company of family and friends.

Cast & Crew - Levinson, De Niro (with kippah), Tucci (with kippah), Willis (with hat)

How is it that all of the Italians got the kippot?

Only in Los Angeles... I was asked to perform the role of the rabbi in a new Barry Levinson movie, WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Here I am in the make-up trailer with two great guys and two great actors - Stanley Tucci and John Turturro. Also in the cast? Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Sean Penn...Who'd have thought?

Why a blog? At this point, it is a means of keeping a fun and interactive contact with congregants, colleagues and friends around the world. I will do my best to keep it interesting...

Shabbat with Gospel

It is the tenth year that I have experienced a Shabbat with Gospel Music at VOS and I have to say that this year's service was spectacular. I would estimate that we had around twelve hundred people in attendance. The Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles under the direction of yron Smith was spectacular. Each singer was a soloist in his/her own right. What a moving experience of Shabbat and gorgeous music.