Is Confirmation the Answer?

I just read an article in Time about college students being more likely to care about global issues than to empathize with other human beings.

While reading it I thought about this year's Confirmation class, the soon-to-be college students that I know, and how they do not fit the description in Time magazine. This year's confirmands were caring and connected, and went out of their way to try to understand each other.

It made me wonder if Judaism and Confirmation can be an antidote to the lack of empathy that characterizes college students today. Judaism commands us to have empathy; we are obligated to remember how our ancestors were treated in Egypt, and that should shape how we treat other people. If the real problem is lack of personal connection in the age of texting and video games, as the article suggests, then a strong connection to the Jewish community can create the social bonds that help us understand others.

Read the article in Time: College Students Short on Empathy

Then check out the Confirmation 2010 Speeches

[Posted by Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik]

Jewish American Heritage Month

Did you know that May is Jewish American Heritage Month? Check out the official website for more information and biographies of influential Jewish Americans.

I've got a feeling- Shabbat version

Temple Ahavat Shalom did this last week at Purim for Havdalah, check out this Shabbat version of the Black Eyed Peas song "Iv'e got a feeling".

Purim at Temple Ahavat Shalom -with MacGruber?

Join us for Purim (and Havdalah!) this Saturday, February 27, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. MacGruber may not be there... but we promise some very special guests!

Stay for a 21 and over Purim Celebration at 8:15 p.m.; $12 per person at the door (designated drivers are free). Free childcare available!

Win free tickets to the TAS Purim Carnival -- follow us on Twitter and retweet our message to be entered into a random drawing! A new winner every day, through Friday!

Guest Blogger, Rabbi Brynjegard-Bialik:Israeli Army saving lives in Haiti

I have been watching the videos of the Israeli Army field hospital in Haiti; I am so impressed with what the Israeli Defense Force has been able to do so quickly and so well.

CNN has been covering the Israeli response:



This report shows how advanced the IDF field hospital is:

I have also been following the IDF on Twitter; it is incredible what they are able to do, and the lives they are able to save, in the aftermath of the earthquake. There are also some amazing videos direct from the IDF on You Tube.

Posted by:

Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik

Guest Blogger, Rabbi Brynjegard-Bialik:Does the ECEC predict future TAS involvement?

The videos of the "So You Think You Can Shpiel?" talent show are up on the TAS YouTube channel; you can find links to all of the contestants here.

The acts were all great and you can enjoy them again or watch them for the first time and vote for your favorites. When you look at the list of acts you might notice the number of kids performing in the show. During the live performance Debi Chesler, talent show host and ECEC director, pointed out how many of those kids are ECEC alumni. It became a running joke: "yet another talented kid who went to the TAS ECEC; they must have learned it at the ECEC."

While I can not say for sure what the cause and effects are between ECEC graduates and temple involvement, there are several possible conclusions about involvement in Jewish life:

1. Families that send their children to the TAS ECEC are more likely to stay involved with TAS as their children grow up.

2. Children who grow up at TAS get involved in temple activities.

3. Children who grow up at TAS are comfortable enough in temple and in our community to get up on stage and perform for our community.

What do you think?

Posted by: Rabbi Shawna Brynjegard-Bialik

Guest Blogger, Rabbi Brynjegard-Bialik:Homeless for the Holidays

At the end of this post I’m going to ask you to do something -- but first let me tell you about one of the things I did last Shabbat.

On Saturday afternoon two of my daughters and I, along with 20 other TAS members, visited the homeless shelter run by LA Family Housing in North Hollywood. We went on a tour of the facility, and I was surprised to learn that it is one of only two shelters in Los Angeles that allow families to stay together. In most other facilities the men and women are separated. Boys as young as 12 years old are sent to the men’s section, away from their mothers, even if they have no father to go with them. It is heartbreaking to think of how those families, who are already suffering, are separated. The LA Family Housing facility, because it has private bathrooms in each room, is able to keep families together.

After the tour, our group stayed in the “Teen Room” to work on some crafts with the children living there. We made Christmas decorations and ornaments for the community Christmas tree in the hall. The children from TAS and the children from LAFH quickly made friends working on crafts together. When we finished the crafts we headed to the library to read stories. One of my daughters had made a friend during the glitter and glue portion of our visit, and the two of them squished into a chair to read together. While the library was well-stocked with children’s books, the little girl was thrilled to get to keep for her own some of the books that were donated by TAS families.

On Christmas day, the LAFH food service staff gets the day off to spend with their own families, so we have an opportunity to perform an important mitzvah. Temple Ahavat Shalom and other local synagogues are providing the food service on Christmas and volunteers are still needed. If you are interested, contact LAFH or the Social Action Committee at TAS.