Parashat Ki Tisa addresses the Golden Calf sin, where HaShem commands Moshe to count Bnei-Yisrael via a half Shekel Terumah, symbolizing a “ransom for their soul” and blessings, unlike the Erev Rav, who initiated the sin. The half Shekel, equaling 430 (like “Nefesh” and the exile years), reflects redemption, while avoiding direct counting prevents the evil eye, as seen with King David’s costly tally. The Levi tribe’s long Aliyot atone for Israel, highlighting their fidelity.

God warns in Shoftim: “Do not pass your children through fire,” raising questions about tolerating such harm or finding pleasure in it as a spiritual act. My uncle, moving from conservative Shiraz to lively Tel Aviv, initially saw it as a den of immorality but grew to love it. Sadly, desensitization to bad behavior can start by straying from Torah’s path. Yet, this repentance month offers a chance to reset our moral compass and strengthen Shalom Bayit.

Amid global challenges and antisemitism, owning property in Israel offers a safe haven and investment for Aliyah or vacation homes. The Great Israel Real Estate Event on Sept. 7 in LA - Pico features 100+ projects in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Raanana, with expert advice on mortgages and discounts. Gidon Katz cites a 20-year value rise. Register free at www.Israelevent2025.com!

Friendship Circle of Los Angeles marked a milestone with its first Musical Minyan on Rosh Chodesh Elul, uniting fathers, brothers, friends, staff, and participants in heartfelt tefillah, followed by a community breakfast courtesy of Bibi’s Cafe. Originating from the Sunday Torah Social, the event saw over 30 men from Pico, La Brea, Beverly Hills, and the Valley engage in davening, Torah readings, and tefillin, filling the space with joy and unity. This debut signals a new cha

Parashat Shoftim highlights the need for judges and police officers (“שֹׁפְטִים וְשֹׁטְרִים”) to enforce Torah law in every Israeli city, symbolizing justice and recorded judgments. It urges individuals to guard their “gates", eyes, mouth, nose, ears, as pathways to righteousness, using the five senses to worship Hashem. The repeated “Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof” (Justice, Justice you shall pursue) calls for true justice, promising the Holy Land if upheld without bribery.

Mark your calendars for a heartwarming event as Yesh Tikva, dedicated to supporting Jewish people facing infertility, celebrates its 10th anniversary with a Challah Bake in Los Angeles. Set for September 8 at 7:30 PM at OBKLA, this event will include a special challah demonstration by the Sephardic Spice Girls. Don’t miss out on this community gathering!

Join us for a special event as Yesh Tikva, supporting Jewish people facing infertility, marks its 10th anniversary with a Challah Bake in the Valley. Scheduled for September 9 at 7:30 PM, this event will feature a challah demonstration by the Sephardic Spice Girls. RSVP for the address to participate in this meaningful gathering.

Urgent need for Type O blood in Los Angeles area. A 23-year-old patient at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center requires direct-to-patient donation. If you're Type O, please consider donating. Contact Cedars-Sinai Blood Donor Services for more information.

Emek Early Childhood Camp transforms the Chandler campus into a vibrant seven-week experience for Emek students, blending Torah values with hands-on activities like water play, STEM, cooking, music, and arts and crafts. With special events and a dedicated, enthusiastic staff, the camp fosters growth, confidence, and Jewish identity in a nurturing, joyful environment.

In Parashat Re'eh, Elan Javanfard explores the Torah's lesson on free will and self-sabotage, where individuals may unconsciously hinder their growth despite choosing blessings over curses. Drawing from Rambam, Chovot HaLevavot, and Kli Yakar, the text highlights the power of conscious choice and self-awareness to break destructive patterns, offering tips like setting clear goals, building a supportive environment, and practicing teshuvah for personal growth.

During a Shabbaton in Tzfat, Rabbi Eckstein heroically saved six-year-old Yoeli from drowning in a hotel pool. Despite being offered 26 million shekel ($6.8 million) by Yoeli’s grandfather, Rabbi Eckstein refused, valuing the mitzvah of saving a life over money. Inspired by this, Rav Chaim Zaid took him to Rav David Abuchatzeira, who blessed Rabbi Eckstein with a son, which came true, naming the boy Yoeli.

The Simcha House, a new venue at Young Israel of Los Angeles, offers affordable, all-inclusive weddings and bar mitzvahs starting at $15,000, easing financial burdens for Orthodox families. Led by Mendel Levin and funded by Sol Goldner, it fulfills the legacy of Holocaust survivors Jacob and Rose Kasirer, proven successful at its inaugural event with gourmet catering and elegant décor.

Renee, born in 1920, celebrated her 105th birthday in London, thanking God and family with a lucid 18-minute speech. Her secret to longevity is curiosity and resilience. After Tisha B’Av, the Seven Shabbatot of Comfort begin, offering genuine consolation. Elul starts August 25, launching a 40-day challenge for personal growth toward Yom Kippur.

Rabbi Moshe Levin’s Chabad Gaon Academy in Los Angeles acts as a "safety net" for Jewish children rejected by other schools, offering tailored education with Principal Mrs. Rivkah Roth. Operating at 40% below typical tuition, it supports students like Eitan and Yaakov, aiming to raise $450,000, or ideally $1 million, to ensure access for all.

Join David Greenberg, Mendel Geisinsky, and Michel Rapaport on an epic adventure from LA to Yosemite, fueled by Mega Glatt Mart snacks and challenges unlocking specialty foods like Jeff’s Italian sausages. The journey culminates in LA with a stellar kosher meal at Mr. Shiloh’s, earning top scores of 99.2, 101, and 98.8 out of 100, marking it David’s best meal in five years.

In Parshat Re’eh, the Torah prohibits blood consumption, urging strength to resist with a “Chazak” warning. Ramban explains this stems from Jews in Egypt imitating pagan blood rituals, a pull to mimic surrounding cultures still evident today in adopted dress or synagogue designs. In modern LA, media’s negative influences, like gossip, mirror this, requiring vigilance to channel pure thoughts and actions toward holiness.

The Torah emphasizes that halacha is determined by sages through deduction, not heavenly intervention, as "Torah is not in heaven." Yet, some Rishonim, like Rabbi Yaakov Marves and the Ohr Zeruah, rendered rulings from dreams when no consensus existed, such as the spelling of "Akiva" revealed via a dream acronym. These must align with Torah logic, and later poskim can argue otherwise.

Jewish non-profits often err by using guilt in fundraising, which leads to avoidance rather than action. Instead, emphasize recourse—making donors feel powerful as heroes solving problems, like Chabad's joyful opportunities or Birthright's transformative trips. Follow the formula: present opportunities, highlight tangible impact, offer multiple ways to help, and preserve dignity. This aligns with Jewish tzedakah, focusing on empowerment over shame.

The shift from summer to school brings a mix of excitement and anxiety for parents and kids. To ease the transition, start your day calmly, set up routines like packing lunches and laying out uniforms the night before, and begin mornings with a seated breakfast. If snags occur, validate feelings with calm confidence, “You can do hard things”, while avoiding over-talking or bending rules. Seek help if needed from professionals.

On August 8, 2025, Steven Rony Reyes was arrested by ICE agents on the Los Angeles courthouse steps after a hearing, shattering the promise of a fair process. Such arrests disrupt justice, deter victims and witnesses, and erode trust in the courts, harming public safety. Lou Shapiro argues ICE should coordinate with courts to enforce immigration laws post-prosecution, preserving courthouses as safe zones for due process.