Click here to read the April-June 2022 Shofar
Dear CBI Family: On behalf of myself, Mike Vishny, and the entire Search Committee, I am so excited to share with you that we have concluded our search process and Rabbi Adam Greenwald has agreed to become the next spiritual leader of CBI succeeding Rabbi Spitz and our interim leader, Rabbi Goldstein. Rabbi Greenwald will begin his…
Rabbi Spitz was featured in the Orange County Jewish Life magazine in a beautiful article written by congregant Daveen Meyers, “Rabbi Spitz Retiring at Congregation B’nai Israel, Tustin, after 34 Years of Service and Inspiration.” Click here to read the article
Psalms are Biblical poems to God. Jews traditionally read psalms during times of trouble, and also chant psalms as an essential part of our daily prayers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 and 2021, Rabbi Spitz taught sessions looking closely at each of the 150 Psalms. You are invited to view them here.
What are my favorite Psalms? What is the nature of Psalms? Who wrote them? And how were they edited? What have I learned from sixteen months of learning and teaching Psalms? What has translating them taught me about poetry? To better understand the nature of Psalms and inspired, I have written my first such poem (see below). I look to share with…
Rabbi Benjamin Segal, more than any other commentator, offered me insight into the literary artistry of the Psalms. Please join in a conversation with Rabbi Segal exploring what has drawn him to his in-depth study and what he believes that we as readers will gain from engagement with these ancient poems to God. Rabbi Segal…
Rabbi Martin Cohen is among the luminaries of the Conservative Movement today. Rabbi of the Shelter Rock Jewish Center in Roslyn, NY for close to twenty years, he has authored many books, including novels and Jewish theology. In my preparation of Psalms, I regularly consulted his book, Our Haven and Our Strength: The Book of Psalms (Aviv Press,…
My converts to Judaism should feel Jewish – opinion By ELIE KAPLAN SPITZ MAY 6, 2021 Rabbi David Eliezrie is my friend and yet, as a Conservative Rabbi, I see God and Judaism quite differently. I would want those whom I convert to know that in choosing Judaism they are joining the Jewish people, which includes a…
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