Temple Beth Am Podcasts Temple Beth Am Los Angeles

The Psalms express and evoke profound and wide-ranging emotions and thoughts that are as real today as they were three thousand years ago. Together we will engage in an interactive in-depth reading of ten Psalms — poems in which the authors use language, structure, and themes to convey their expressions of profound feelings that run the gamut of emotions. Fluency in Hebrew is not required, but it helps.


This class, which centers on Psalm 145, was conduced via Zoom on July 25, 2024.
Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.
Links:
Psalm 145 Text

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book its author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held’s analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah.


The sixth discussion in this series centered on Chapters 10, 11 and 12 of Rabbi Held's book, in particular the ways loving kindness is a way of connecting with God . It took place via Zoom on July 24, 2024
Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.
Links:
Judaism Is About Love Class 6 Source Sheet

Rabbi Avi Havivi's siddur class at Temple Beth Am Los Angeles via Zoom - July 23, 2024
Special Guest: Rabbi Avi Havivi.
Links:
Fast Of The 17th of Tammuz Source Sheet

Recently, a book with this title hit the bookstores. In the book its author, Rabbi Shai Held (a Conservative rabbi) tells us that, for too long, Judaism has been mistakenly characterized as a legalistic, judgmental faith tradition. In response Rav Held proceeds to draw upon a rich compendium of sources representing 3000 years of Jewish learning and living to teach us that, beyond a shadow of doubt, love is the dominant foundational Jewish principle. Judaism is, indeed, about love. We will read the book over the course of ten weeks (it is a substantial tome) and meet weekly to discuss Held’s analysis and study selected primary sources from which he draws his Torah.


The fifth discussion in this series centered on Chapters 8 and 9 of Rabbi Held's book, in particular the question of whether Jewish law requires Jews (especially victims) to love their enemies. It took place via Zoom on July 17, 2024
Special Guest: Rabbi Emeritus Joel Rembaum.

Shabbat Teaching with Rabbi Joshua Katzan, at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, July 20, 2024.


Words like “consciousness,” “presence,” “mindfulness” point in spiritual directions, but we don’t always know how to achieve them. Join Rabbi Joshua Katzan in a brief introduction to a Jewish meditation practice that can help us be more fully enveloped by the blessings around us.


Rabbi Katzan is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Mishkon Tephilo in Venice, California.


Introduced by Rabbi Rebecca Schatz.


(Youtube/Zoom)
Special Guest: Rabbi Joshua Katzan.

Rabbi Rebecca Schatz's Shabbat Sermon at Temple Beth Am, Los Angeles, July 20, 2024.


(Youtube)