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Back on The Air

It’s fun to be back on the air.

It’s been a long time since my radio show at Cranbrook high school. I have amazing memories of bringing my records every other week to play during the radio show. We transmitted about one mile from the basement of the dorms.

Later at Long Beach Hillel with a bunch of students we started KJEW Radio. Boaz put together some computers, programs and equipment and we were broadcasting online. A bunch of students had short lived shows, including one on Jews and sports, and a Love Problem call in show. We were just way ahead of the curve. It was 2005.

I also played around with Podcasting in those days, but my podcasts were just classes that I was teaching on campus. There were no interviews, or production for that matter.

With the pandemic in full swing, I’m starting a new project called Together With Rabbi Yonah. Every week you can join me for inspiring conversations with fascinating people. The new series is being carried by The Jewish Journal.

As you know, people of all backgrounds have been devastated by the pandemic and Together is dedicated to bringing light and healing to our world.

Together on this program we will meet some amazing people, and share advice and insights to help us live better, love better, and save lives.

In addition to our incredible

guests, In addition to our incredible guests, I’ll answer your questions, highlight organizations that are making a difference, and I’ll share a short story to open our hearts. Please send me your comments or questions to rabbi @ pico shul.org

Please watch us on Facebook, or on YouTube.

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Guide To Making Your Home Kosher for Passover

Updated for 2020, this handy guide has been downloaded thousands of times. Provides easy to follow and realistic goals for making your home Kosher for Passover – without compromising on Jewish law and customs.

Guide-to-Making-Your-Home-Kosher-for-Passover2020Download
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The 10 Minute Seder

If You Have To Rush Through The Seder — Use This Free Haggadah!


Here is the dilemma. You want to do a proper Seder, but due to the pandemic, some tired kids, or for whatever reason, you need to get the Seder done with efficiently. It’s not ideal – but it happens. The problem is that we realized is that people end up skipping essential parts of the Seder, because most Hagaddahs will not tell you what you can skip.

With this in mind I created the 10 Minute Haggadah originally in 2012. I have now updated it, and it’s a Kosher seder for those short on time.

This Haggadah is two pages long and you download it and print it out at home, or get it copied. I originally put this Hagaddah together for “Matzachella”, our Shabbat Tent Coachella Seder.

Everything that MUST be said or done at the Seder is included in The 10 Minute Seder. In addition some favorites are included like Dayeinu. Even if you will use another Haggadah, check out the Ten Minute Seder!

Here is an excerpt:

1. What’s up with the matzah? 2. What’s the deal with horseradish? 3. What’s with the dipping of the herbs? 4. What’s this whole chilling at the table business?

PARTICIPANTS SAY TOGETHER
We were slaves in Egypt. God took us out with awesome miracles. Had God not taken us out of Egypt, then what? We, and our children, and grandchildren would still be slaves in Egypt! So, even if we were all great Torah scholars, we would still have to tell about the Exodus from Egypt. The more we talk about this the better – but God I’m short on time!

LEADER
The Torah reflects upon four types of kids: One Wise, One Evil, One Simple, and One Who Doesn’t Know How To Ask. GUIDE the wise one through the obligations of Passover. TELL the Evil One, we need you to be part of our people. EXPLAIN to the Simple One, “with a strong hand God brought us out of Egypt.” ENGAGE the one who doesn’t know how to ask, make that child feel comfortable, and tell them about the Exodus.

The-Ten-Minute-Seder-2020-Final-1Download

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Using Money for Kaparot

Kaparot is an ancient ritual we do in preparation for Yom Kippur. Kaparot can be done any time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. We ask God that if we were destined to be the recipients of harsh decrees in the New Year, may they be transferred to the money used in the ceremony which is destined for tzedakah, charity for those in need.

Please use money in place of electric Bird scooters or live chickens for Kaparot! Our sages long ago said that Kaparot can be done with money which is then given to tzedakah. Shana Tova, may you be blessed with a sweet, healthy and joyous New Year!

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