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Life on the Discovery Channel Preview

March 19, 2010, 10:00 pm
Life on the Discovery Channel Preview

Set your DVRs! Remember the incredible “Planet Earth” Series from the BBC on the Discovery Channel? The next chapter begins Sunday 8 PM in the new series called “Life”. I am so excited for this series. Our family must have seen every episode of Planet Earth at least five times in the gorgeous High Definition it was meant to be watched in. Read More »

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Please Pass The Salt | A Guest Post

March 19, 2010, 9:52 pm
Please Pass The Salt | A Guest Post

A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series. Parshas Vayikra Pretense, Arrogance and Salt The avodas hakorbanos is a defining aspect of our avodas Hashem. Sefer Vayikrah begins by outline the specific details of sacrifice. Read More »

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The Mechanics of Change and How To Make A Difference

March 18, 2010, 8:40 pm
The Mechanics of Change and How To Make A Difference

A few weeks ago my brother-in-law asked me which branch of government I thought was the most powerful. I immediately answered, “Legislative”. He was surprised. As a fellow law student we read case after case where the Supreme Court overturned laws that it felt were unconstitutional. Read More »

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Life in Los Angeles | I ♡ LA

March 17, 2010, 9:50 am
Life in Los Angeles | I ♡ LA

Randy Newman says it perfectly. “I Love LA” he croons. We in Los Angeles hear that classic tune after every Lakers home victory. And there are plenty of those… I also hear it every time someone calls my wife’s mobile phone. It is her ringtone. Today I had such a strong reminder of why living in Los Angeles is so great. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Beautiful Solar Eclipse Video (and a moron)

March 15, 2010, 9:50 pm
Beautiful Solar Eclipse Video (and a moron)

Remember the awesome Solar Eclipse in Southeast Asia last year? Back then, I wrote a little piece called Solar Eclipse in Judaism that explains the famous Talmudic reasons for eclipse. Recently I came across this incredible video by the BBC. Read More »

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The Real Orthoprax Issue

March 12, 2010, 4:44 am
The Real Orthoprax Issue

This post has been cross-posted to DovBear. For more discussion, click here . Rabbi Steven Pruzansky is making headlines with his front page Jewish Press article in which he thoroughly disposes of Orthopraxy and ousts the Orthoprax from Modern Orthodoxy . Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Our Symbiotic Existence | A Guest Post

March 12, 2010, 4:36 am
Our Symbiotic Existence | A Guest Post

A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series. Parshas Vayakheil Pikudei Mirror Worlds As we conclude sefer Shmos we are provided with a full accounting of the donations to the Mishkan. Read More »

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Reverse Discrimination and Oversensitivity

March 11, 2010, 2:40 am
Reverse Discrimination and Oversensitivity

Yesterday I wrote about a great film in Simple Justice | The Story of Brown v. Board of Education: The End of Separate But Equal in Schools . Civil Rights made tremendous strides in the wake of Brown. It was a tumultuous time and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. led the way to racial equality. Read More »

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Simple Justice | The Story of Brown v. Board of Education: The End of Separate But Equal in Schools

March 9, 2010, 3:40 pm
Simple Justice | The Story of Brown v. Board of Education: The End of Separate But Equal in Schools

Last week I spoke at Pepperdine University about Jewish Lessons in Parenting . I began my talk by complimenting my parents and expressing my desire to emulate their parenting in the raising of my own children. One such example occurred today. At Law School we are reading some of the most well-known Supreme Court Cases. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Super Secret Ballot

March 9, 2010, 1:51 am
Super Secret Ballot

I am not a “Picture of the Day”, kind of blogger. But sometimes, something is too good not to share. This picture from the NY Times made me chuckle. In the USA, we are very proud of our “Secret Ballot “. Every voter is ensured that their vote is private. No one has the right to force a voter to disclose the voter’s choice. Read More »

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♫ What A Wonderful World ♫

March 6, 2010, 1:48 am

Wow. You must see this video on vimeo . It is a breathtakingly beautiful time-lapse taken in Hawaii. You can literally feel the earth spinning on its axis as night passes into day. I love good videos and this is one of my all time favorites. The action is stunning and the music is perfect. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

When Kesher is Not a Knot | A Guest Post

March 6, 2010, 1:30 am
When Kesher is Not a Knot | A Guest Post

A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series. Parshas Ki Seesa A Kesher Shel Kayama We find in Parshas Ki Seesa the catastrophic sin of the eigel hazahav, which tragically placed Klal Yisrael at the precipice of destruction. Read More »

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Time With Corrie ten Boom | Review

March 4, 2010, 4:16 am
Time With Corrie ten Boom | Review

On Sunday I was privileged to take part in A Night for the Family at Pepperdine University. See my previous posts about the overall event by clicking My Appearance At “A Night For The Family” at Pepperdine University and listen to my speech by clicking Jewish Lessons in Parenting . Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Jewish Lessons in Parenting

March 3, 2010, 6:44 am
Jewish Lessons in Parenting

Last night I was invited to be a part of A Night for the Family at Pepperdine University. It was a memorable evening in more ways than one. (Read about it here: A Night for Family .) I was asked to speak before a crowd that had just enjoyed seeing the life of Corrie ten Boom performed. Read More »

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My Appearance At “A Night For The Family” at Pepperdine University

March 3, 2010, 6:32 am
My Appearance At “A Night For The Family” at Pepperdine University

Wow. Dinner with Pat and Shirley Boone , the story of Corrie ten Boom and Rabbi Eliyahu Fink (me) addressing the attendees. Which one of these things doesn’t belong? Right. That would be me. So how did I end up at this event and how was it? A member of our shul, Gary Dalin, met Dr. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Pacific Jewish Center Purim Celebration Recap February 28, 2010

March 1, 2010, 7:02 pm
Pacific Jewish Center Purim Celebration Recap February 28, 2010

The Shul on the Beach Purim 2010 This Purim, The Shul On The Beach opened its doors to the entire Venice / Santa Monica community to join in a Purim Celebration. An excellent turnout from our members, friends and neighbors set the stage for a truly memorable afternoon. Mr. and Mrs. Read More »

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Alula Performs At Pacific Jewish Center Purim Party in Venice

March 1, 2010, 9:32 am
Alula Performs At Pacific Jewish Center Purim Party in Venice

Today, Pacific Jewish Center hosted a memorable Purim Celebration at the Shul on the Beach . Well over 200 people attended, ranging from ultra-religious Jews, to unaffiliated Jews, Christians and non-Jews. It was really a great success. There will be a full blog post about the party forthcoming. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Purim Celebration at The Shul on the Beach 2/28/10

February 27, 2010, 5:18 am
Purim Celebration at The Shul on the Beach 2/28/10

Join Pacific Jewish Center and the entire Venice / Santa Monica Jewish community for a Purim Celebration at the Shul on the Beach. There will be entertainment as well as refreshments. You can meet your neighbors and taste a Purim Experience at our historic Shul. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

The Sweet Smell of Simcha | A Guest Post

February 26, 2010, 10:12 am
The Sweet Smell of Simcha | A Guest Post

A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series. Parshas Titzavah – Parshas Zachor Pitom Hakitores The Mizbeach Hazahav is mentioned in this week’s parsha as the final utensil Hashem Yisborach instructed Klal Yisrael to fashion for the Mishkan. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

The Whales Are Mounting A Counter Attack!

February 25, 2010, 12:52 pm
The Whales Are Mounting A Counter Attack!

I am sure you have already heard the news. If you have not, here goes. Today, a killer whale named Tilikum at Sea World Orlando killed a trainer. Yes. A whale. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Happiness is a Preservative | A Guest Post

February 19, 2010, 6:16 am
Happiness is a Preservative | A Guest Post

A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series. Parshas Teruamah Keeping it Fresh Parshas Terumah is filled with the beauty and grandeur of the mishkan v’keilav. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Frum Satire Show at Pacific Jewish Center Was Incredible

February 16, 2010, 9:04 pm
Frum Satire Show at Pacific Jewish Center Was Incredible

Wow. Heshy Fried aka Frum Satire performed in front of a very diverse crowd of ~60 at the Pacific Jewish Center at the Shul on the Beach on Sunday February 14 2010 and it was incredible. Heshy ranted for over an hour and the audience was captivated. He could have gone on for another hour and had everyone laughing all the way through. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Mishloach Manos Packing on the Beach 2/14/10

February 16, 2010, 1:20 am
Mishloach Manos Packing on the Beach 2/14/10

The Shul on the Beach Yesterday was a great day for Pacific Jewish Center and our community. A little while back, we decided that it would a lot of fun for the community to get together and pack mishloach manos together at the Shul on the Beach. The event had a triple purpose. The goals were all met and exceeded. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Sorry About the Hiatus

February 16, 2010, 1:14 am
Sorry About the Hiatus

This past week was way too busy (and boring) to blog. Sorry for the hiatus. Why was it busy? We were getting ready for TWO big events at Pacific Jewish Center that went down yesterday. Stay tuned for two new posts about the events. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Frum Satire Show At Pacific Jewish Center

February 10, 2010, 3:36 am
Frum Satire Show At Pacific Jewish Center

Heshy just posted this on his blog and since we are the hosts, I am reposting for your information and reference. I know it’s a bit short notice but I (Heshy Fried / Frum Satire) will be performing this coming Sunday February 14th in Los Angeles at the Pacific Jewish Center AKA Shul on the Beach (on the Venice Beach Boardwalk) at 6pm. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Sometimes Role Models Are Athletes

February 8, 2010, 1:10 pm
Sometimes Role Models Are Athletes

Grant Desme: Is he looking heavenward? The two most popular posts on this blog are variants of one common theme. Athletes as Role Models. It makes sense. I enjoy sports, I am passionate about education and I love the moral tension created by appreciating both of those areas of life. It appears that people like reading about it as well. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

RETRACTION: Tim Tebow Ad WAS Harmless NOT Reckless

February 8, 2010, 7:12 am
RETRACTION: Tim Tebow Ad WAS Harmless NOT Reckless

So like everyone else, I bought into the hype. I thought the Tebow ad was going to “tell his mother’s story”. It did not. She still called him a “miracle baby”, but that is not that big a deal. I apologize for the previous blog post . I wrote what I wrote based on speculation that others made about the content of the ad. They were wrong. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

The Triple Threat | A Guest Post

February 5, 2010, 10:06 pm
The Triple Threat | A Guest Post

A guest post by Rabbi Aaron Fink (my father), Dean of Ateres Bais Yaakov in Monsey NY. Part of a weekly Dvar Torah (Torah “Thought”) series. Parshas Yisro Achdus, Emunah and Simcha The raison-d’être of maaseh braisheis and the essential tachlis of Klal Yisrael is defined in parshas Yisro with the experience of Matan Torah. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

An American Idol Contestant With a Huge Heart

February 5, 2010, 5:40 am
An American Idol Contestant With a Huge Heart

This clip was sent my way and I’ve got to admit it is amazing. American Idol Season ~46,281 is underway and the most memorable moment so far has certainly been the Pants on the Ground phenomena. If you have seen or heard of it – you MUST go here right now and watch it (come back quick). Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »

Why The Earthquake in Haiti Happened

February 4, 2010, 10:30 pm
Why The Earthquake in Haiti Happened

This post has been crossposted to DovBear. More discussion there. Since the Earthquake in Haiti many have attempted to figure out “why” the tragedy occurred. There are 4 prominent versions going around the web right now. Rabbi Shafran Version 1 : God punished the people of Haiti because of evil speech. Read More »

Pacific Jewish Center | Rabbi »