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Rabbi Meir Soloveichik Speaks Shabbos Morning, June 16, At Beth Jacob

Posted by on Jun 3, 2012 in beth jacob |

BethJacob.org reports: The Summer Kollel Returns
June 25 to July 27
Under the direction of
Rabbi Adir Posy & Rabbi Avner Shapiro.
Please consider signing up for a Chavruta
– no prior skill is required —
by contacting Rabbi Posy.

Beth Jacob was a hub of activity during the weekend of Yom Yerushalayim as we were privileged to host Ambassador Yehuda Avner, Israeli diplomat and author of The Prime Ministers, an account of his time as an adviser to Israel’s highest leaders. Generously sponsored by Carrol & Jack Fenigstein, each of the Ambassador’s talks were attended by hundreds of people who walked away transformed by the inspiring experience. Few will soon forget the racuous ovation that shook a packed Shapell sanctuary on Shabbat morning or the peals of laughter coupled with the tears of reflection as our community was enthralled by one of the ultimate insiders in Israel’s history.

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Committee to Re-engage Cantor Baram

Posted by on Sep 3, 2011 in beth jacob |

Here’s the latest email:

Dear Friends and Fellow Beth Jacob Congregants:

As the Yamim Noraim are approaching, a period of prayer, tshuvah, and renewal for our people, the time has finally come for us to move forward with the next phase in the process to re-engage our Chazan, Nati Baram.

Please be assured we are working totally within the system and following all the rules. The information we are gathering from our friends and fellow members will be presented to Executive Board as evidence of the breadth of the support for our cause. We have every reason to believe that the new Executive Board is composed of fair and open-minded individuals who will be more receptive to the voice of the congregation, providing, of course, we can prove there is significant support from the membership for what we are trying to achieve. Leadership is already talking about conducting a new membership survey covering all the issues and challenges currently facing our beloved shul, and we welcome that as long as it will be conducted in a fair and impartial manner.

The first phase of our process is complete. We now have 136 signatories to the attached letter we are sending out today, including Past-Presidents and significant donors. Please take the time to carefully review all three attached documents. We have been waiting a long time for this opportunity to have our voice heard, so please don’t hesitate with your response so we can move ahead quickly.

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Beth Jacob Ready For A New Cantor

Posted by on Aug 16, 2011 in beth jacob |

The current cantor is old school. I think the shul is ready for someone new. I think they want more congregational singing. Most Jews I know prefer congregational singing to listening to a cantorial solo. Dennis Prager in particular is a big advocate of congregational singing.

Bath Jacob’s current cantor, Netanel Baram, is looking for a new position. I thought he was headed for Germany but that is not final and it may not work out.

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Beth Jacob’s Rabbi Kalman Topp Visits Israel

Posted by on Oct 26, 2009 in beth jacob, Israel, R. Kalman Topp |

He writes: Dear Friend,

I’m writing this email to let you know that I just arrived in Israel for a unique and exciting trip.

Under the leadership of the Israeli Consulate of Los Angeles, twenty Rabbis from the area from all denominations are travelling together on a brief whirlwind tour of Israel. Over the course of the two and a half days, we are going from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to the Negev and back.

We just began our packed itinerary which will include a visit to the Rogozin High School (a school in Tel Aviv supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater L.A.), a meeting with President Shimon Peres, an intelligence briefing with Major General Amos Yedlin, a visit to Yad Vashem, a visit and some volunteering at the Hazon Yeshaya soup kitchen in Jerusalem, a visit to the Ben Gurion University and Project Ayalim in the Negev and much more.

The purpose of the trip is for us to be educated and inspired and in time to give that over to our congregations. Moreover, the fact that Rabbis, representing congregations from all denominations, are in Israel together is not only a strong display of solidarity with Israel but also an impressive declaration of Jewish unity. Being that I’m representing our Beth Jacob congregation, all of you can be proud to be involved in this show of solidarity and unity.

I am returning, please G-d, Thursday morning, and this Shabbat I hope to share with you more about the trip.

With best regards from Israel and wishes of peace and strength for Am Yisrael,

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Beth Jacob Hosts Big Israeli Rabbi

Posted by on Oct 26, 2009 in beth jacob |

Scholar in Residence – Rabbi David Stav

Rabbi David Stav, a graduate of Yeshivat Mercaz HaRav, is the Rabbi of the town of Shoham. He is a co-founder and a leader of Tzohar Foundation, and a spokesman for Roshei Yeshivot Hesder.
Rabbi Stav will be speaking at Benny’s minyan and there will be a Melaveh Malka…
In This Issue
Scholar in Residence
Tribute to Carolyn Solny
The Sedra Lech Lecha – Instead of allowing us to focus on our goals, wealth has the tendency to distract us from our original values.
Weekly FUNLETTER

Shalom from
the Beth Jacob Rabbis

Three Rabbis

Shalom,

This Week at Beth Jacob highlights a number of  exciting programs we’ve planned for your growth and enjoynment. Also included, is the sedra and the kids’ sedra- two different ways you can learn Torah and get a jump on this week’s sedra. We hope you’ll join us, and look forward to seeing you at Shul this week. May this week see all your hopes and dreams fulfilled.

Have a GREAT week!
Rabbis Topp, Mandel, Pilichowski and Posy

Become a fan of Beth Jacob Congregation on

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WHY I AM PROUD TO BE A BETH JACOB MEMBER!

Great staff like Carolyn Solny


Check out

For Torah, Coming Events, & so many other features!

BETH JACOB SHOUT OUTS
do you want to send a mazol tov, greeting or welcome message to someone in the weekly seat announcements?
email reception@bethjacob.org
$10 for each message

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CPR Class At Beth Jacob

Posted by on Oct 15, 2009 in beth jacob |

DATE: Sunday evening, Nov. 1
TIME: 7:15 – 10:15 pm
LOCATION: Beth Jacob
COST: $25
MORE: This course will be given by Mark Worland, a certified Red Cross instructor. In addition to invaluable life saving information, each participant will also receive official certification from the American Red Cross.
Space is limited, please reserve your spot early. Please RSVP. 310-278-1911.

Beth Jacob Congregation
9030 West Olympic Blvd.
Beverly Hills, California 90211 | (310) 278-1911

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Beth Jacob’s New Cantor

Posted by on May 22, 2009 in beth jacob |

Cantor Nati Baram will be leading services at Beth Jacob Congregation for Shavuot. He plans to be in LA for a week or 10 days – and then to return to Israel. He will be moving here to take up his position over the summer.

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Beth Jacob Changes

Posted by on May 16, 2009 in beth jacob |

With Rabbi Kalman Topp scheduled to replace Rabbi Weil late in the summer, the imminent arrival of Cantor Nati Baram whose visa petition was approved this past week, and the election of a new Shul President in the fall (likely candidate David West Esq) big changes are ahead for the largest Orthodox Shul west of Chicago.What is David West like? He’s a rock solid leader who will provide a steady hand at the wheel – and is a team player. Just what’s needed for the transitions of Rabbi and Chazzan.

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Clive Lawton Speaks At Beth Jacob This Shabbos

Posted by on Apr 20, 2009 in beth jacob |

Clive Lawton is one of the founders of the modern Limmud movement. He’s a fantastic speaker. Hilarious. Go to BethJacob.org for more info.

LimmudLA reports:

Clive Lawton, one of the founders of the Limmud movement and senior consultant to Limmud (in the UK), is coming to Los Angeles! Don’t miss the opportunity to learn with Clive, a fascinating, entertaining and inspiring educator.

Clive will be the Scholar in Residence at Beth Jacob Congregation this coming weekend. On Saturday, Clive will be giving the sermon during services and will be speaking at a luncheon. His topic for his luncheon lecture will be ‘Counting Strangely – the Jewish Way of Marking Time’. For more information and to reserve your place at the luncheon, please call Beth Jacob Congregation at 310-278-1911.

This weekend is sponsored by Glynis & Selwyn Gerber and Lynn & Marc Rohatiner.

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Beth Jacob Gets A Taste Of Their New Chazzan

Posted by on Apr 2, 2009 in beth jacob |

Last Shabbat the new cantor Nati Baram davenned – and dazzled the congregation with a broad spectrum of talent on display. He showed off his soul and his singing talents : Getting the community to participate in group-sing; the Kedushah included parts of O Sole Mio – and there was a good dose of Carlebach and some fun sprinkled in too.

All in all a recipe for a total mench leading his new community in joyous song. He came into LA for a few days – and hopes are high that the visa issues will be resolved shortly after Pesach.

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Modern Orthodox Rabbis In Los Angeles Seek To Certify Business Ethics

Posted by on Feb 24, 2009 in Abuse, Agriprocessors, beth jacob, Bnai David, Ethics, modern orthodox, Orthodox Union, yicc |

My first thoughts when I heard about this plan.

I hope the execution of this plan is more effective than some of the spelling in this new letter: “PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION SHARED WITH THE PEULAT SACHIROR ANY OF ITS REPRSENTATIVES WILL BE HELD IN THE STRCTEST OF CONFIDENCE. THE CERTIFRICATION AGREEMENT WILL RFLECT THIS IN WRITING.”

Here’s the letter going out to Jewish business owners in Pico-Robertson in particular and then to the wider city:

Dear Business Owner:

We are writing to invite to join us in an inspiring new project that we have undertaken for the benefit of our community.

As you know, Judaism has a rich tradition and volumes of treatises on business ethics, particularly in the area of ethical labor standards and practices. In an effort to raise awareness of this area of Jewish law and ethics, we have recently formed an organization that will offer local establishments the opportunity to promote and publicize their compliance with labor standards and practices. We are calling this organization Peulat Sachir: The Ethical Labor Initiative .

Peulat Sachir is offering – at no charge – a Covenant Document, to be signed by you and a representative of Peulat Sachir that will hang in your window and will favorably promote your business as being in compliance with proper labor practices. In addition, all “covenanted” businesses, restaurants and markets will be publicized free of charge in the printed bulletins of Beth Jacob Cong., Bnai David – Judea Cong., Kehillat Yavneh, and Young Israel of Century City, who will also take your participation into favorable account whenever choosing vendors for synagogue events. On the enclosed page you will find all of the details as to how you can qualify for the Covenant Document. Peulat Sachir’s ultimate goals are to elevate the level of communal awareness concerning the importance of labor law, and to raise the standards of labor law compliance throughout the Jewish community, focusing initially on the Pico Blvd. strip. We are hoping that you will be excited about being among the pioneers who will work with us to launch this groundbreaking project.

The areas that Peulat Sachir will certify are:

1.

1. Minimum Wage – The current minimum wage for employees in the state of California is $8 an hour.

1.

2. Overtime – Non-exempt employees must be compensated at one-and-a-half times their regular rate of pay for any hours worked over 8 in one day or 40 in one week. Non-exempt employees must be compensated at double their regular rate of pay for any hours worked over 12 in one day.

1.

3. Meal and Rest Breaks – Employers must provide a 30-minute off-duty lunch break on or before the fifth hour of each employee’s shift. A second 30-minute off-duty meal period must be provided on before the tenth hour of each employee’s shift. In addition, employers must provide a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked by an employee.

1.

4. Workers’ Compensation Insurance – Employers must carry appropriate workers’ compensation insurance.

1.

5. Leave Policies – Employers with over 50 employees must give employees who have been with the company for over one year required leaves for caring for a newborn child, caring for a seriously ill family member or for recuperating from a serious health condition in accordance with the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and California Family Rights Act. FMLA also requires that the employee return at a level of pay equal to what he/she was making before taking leave.

1.

6. Discrimination/Harassment Policies: Employers must have policies to discourage and deal with illegal discrimination (e.g., based on age, sex, gender, race, etc.) and harassment. Employers must make employees aware of a mechanism within the company to complain about discrimination and harassment.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL INFORMATION SHARED WITH THE PEULAT SACHIROR ANY OF ITS REPRSENTATIVES WILL BE HELD IN THE STRCTEST OF CONFIDENCE. THE CERTIFRICATION AGREEMENT WILL RFLECT THIS IN WRITING.

Businesses interested in receiving a Peulat Sachir Covenant Document should contact Peulat Sachirat info@peulatsachir.com about applying. (A member of the Peulat Sachir board may also follow up on this letter with a phone call, inviting your participation.)

We would like to emphasize that Peulat Sachir’s goal is not to hurt businesses which may be in non-compliance with federal or state labor laws, but to encourage the patronage of those with proper labor practices. We hope that by increasing awareness of these issues within our community, we and the rest of the world will be able to look at our local businesses as examples of how to treat employees fairly and legally.

Sincerely,

# of lay leaders from among the group

[Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky

Rabbi Daniel Korobkin

Rabbi Elazar Muskin

Rabbi Steven Weil]

HERE’S THE COVENANT:

The Worker’s Wage: Our Community’s Labor Ethics Covenant

Whereas:

The Torah commands us to pay our workers promptly and accurately, and asks us to recognize that their lives are in our hands (Devarim 24:15).

The Halacha requires us, as members of a larger society, to observe all of the civil “laws of the land” (dina d’malchuta) (Choshen Mishpat, 369:11).

Our patrons are entitled to know that the employees working in the establishments they patronize are being treated fairly and in accordance with halacha.

Therefore, {Name of business}, represented by the undersigned, hereby affirms that it is in compliance with all local, state, and federal laws enacted to ensure that we treat our employees appropriately, as is consistent with our spiritual commitments toward them.

These laws include the following:

*

Payment of Minimum Wage
*

Payment of Overtime Wages
*

Provision of Meal and Rest Periods
*

Granting of Family and Personal Leave
*

Maintenance of Worker’s Compensation Insurance
*

Institution and Upholding of Anti-Discrimination/Anti-Harassment/Anti-Retaliation Policies

We further commit to comply with all laws relating to mandatory training, including attending, and having our employees attend, educational seminars reviewing our respective rights and responsibilities to each other. These seminars will be conducted by the volunteers of Peulat Sachir, our partners in this community covenant, or by other qualified advisors.

This covenant is subject to renewal on an annual basis and may be revoked at any time by Peulat Sachir, in its sole discretion. We further hereby agree to welcome the volunteers of Peulat Sachir to inspect a random sampling of our relevant business records on a semi-annual basis, and to interview our employees to confirm our compliance herewith.

Signed this _______ day of ________, 57__, corresponding to the ________ day of ___________, 20__.

Signed: Business owner

Signed: Representative of Peulat Sachir

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The Second Candidate Comes To Beth Jacob

Posted by on Feb 2, 2009 in beth jacob |

From BethJacob.org: On Shabbat, February 7, the second of our three rabbinic candidates, Rabbi Kalman Topp and his wife Jordana will be visiting Beth Jacob. Rabbi Topp has served as the rabbi at Young Israel of Woodmere. Rabbi Topp will be delivering the drasha at both Benny’s Minyan and in Shapell Sanctuary. After kiddush, there will be an open question and answer period. Rabbi Topp will also be speaking at seudah shlishit. You are all encouraged to come.

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A Farewell From Avshalom Katz

Posted by on Oct 2, 2008 in beth jacob |

The Beth Jacob cantor emails the shul’s members:

My Dear Friends:

With tear-filled eyes, I write to you not a goodbye – but a l’hitraot for now.

Twelve years ago, I came anxiously and excitedly for my proba to be chazzan of Beth Jacob. I remember well exactly where I was when I got the call. I was in Tel Aviv, singing at a sheva brachot, when dear Oscar Schoenfeld, of blessed memory, called to tell me I was voted in as the next chazzan of Beth Jacob. It was a very bittersweet moment for me. On one hand, I dreamed of becoming your chazzan, and on the other hand, it meant my leaving Eretz Yisroel. I always have the belief that Hashem is with me and guides me and was telling me that quite possibly, my work in kiruv and spreading ahavat Eretz Yisroel was not finished, and it was my destiny to return to Los Angeles.

I served almost 12 years with pride and a sense of humility, given the opportunity to daven before HaKadosh Baruch Hu and serve as your Shaliach Tzibbur. I always had in mind, at every tefillah, that I was davening with and for my kehilla, with fullest kavanah in my asking Hashem to let me be a Meilitz Yosher to ask for your good health, your happiness, your parnasa tova and for Shalom al Yisroel.

I cannot believe twelve years have passed. Sharon and I came to Los Angeles with four young children. I leave you with our b’chor Shlomo being a respected Rav and Teacher and still spreading his beautiful music. Eitan is married to the lovely Malki and we are blessed with our nine month old grandson, Yosef, as Eitan learns in Kolel and spreads his beautiful music, Tali is a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse at Shaare Zedek and does her job with such passion, and Michali has her education degree and taught in Yerushalayim and also was one of the directors of the Bnei Akiva programs, TVI and Machach.

You – my precious kehillah have become my beloved friends and my family. We’ve shared so many s’machot and sadly many a difficult occasion, but we stood together and you’ve never let me down, and I hope I didn’t let you down. The shul is a vibrant and special congregation and I understand that a full time chazzan is necessary. I thank you for the z’chut of being your full time chazzan for ten years and thank you for the two years you gave me the opportunity of being your part time chazzan. I would be remiss if I didn’t do hakarat hatov to Rabbi Weil for being a wonderful Morah D’atrah, passionate supporter of Israel, and an honest friend. Dr. Steve Tabak, your president is a prince of a man, whom I’m forever in debted to. At this time, I would like to wish Netanel Baram, your incoming Chazan, hatzlacha rabah.

To you, every single person that sat in the front, in the balcony, on the right and on the left, I thank you for the privilege of serving you. I thank the Beth Jacob Choir for enhancing our davening, and for you, my friends, for singing along with me, and lifting me to higher heights in my davening. Sharon joins me in wishing you a Shana Tova U’Metuka, a year of sweetness, a year of shalom, good health and may Hashem shower each and every one of you with His blessings. Here in Eretz Yisroel, my home will always be open to you – my dear friends.

At the risk of sounding a little corny, I include here the parts of a song you all know well, sung by Frank Sinatra.

Goodbye for now and thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Avshalom Katz
Rechov Motzkin 2 alef/5
Raanana, Israel 43144
054 7741755
eitankatz@aol.com

My Way
(P. Anka, J. Revaux, G. Thibault, C. Frankois)

And now, the end is here
And so I face the final curtain
My friend, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and ev’ry highway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do and saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course, each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this, I did it my way

Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way

“Oh, no, oh, no, not me, I did it my way”

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Beth Jacob Gets A New Cantor

Posted by on Sep 22, 2008 in beth jacob |

I’m told: Nati Baram was approved overwhelmingly – rumor has it he got over 90% approval. He will commence his duties in December and will arrive here late November with his wife Carmit and the baby they are now expecting. Most reassuringly it was not just his outstanding voice and world class cantorial skills – but also his fine character and personal references as a true Ben Torah and Talmid Chacham; and his view of the Cantorate as being a full time pastoral task as well including visiting the sick, training choirs and involving the children … He has taught at Merkaz Harav and other “modern Orthodox” Yeshivot – and is passionately Zionist.

Avshalom Katz will end his tenure at Beth Jacob after the Chaggim and will leave big shoes to be filled. The talk in town is that Los Angeles will be gaining a world class Chazzan – and a super-mench.

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Highest Ranking Jew In US Armed Forces To Address Shul Shabbos Morning

Posted by on Jun 26, 2008 in beth jacob |

From BethJacob.org: “Gen. Robert Magnus, Assistant Commandant of the United States Marine Corps & highest ranking Jewish person in the U.S. Armed Services, will be addressing Beth Jacob Congregation for the morning drasha this Shabbat in the Shapell Sanctuary.”

From Wikipedia:

General Robert Magnus, USMC (born April 28, 1947) is the 18th and current Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps. He assumed his current assignment on September 8, 2005.

Magnus was born April 28, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York.

Genial, no-nonsense and a bit professorial, Magnus, was born in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood, the youngest child of a bookkeeper and a seamstress. When the family moved to the working class, post-World War II community of Levittown, Long Island, “a mile and a half from a potato farm,” his secular Jewish upbringing was “ideal and lower-middle class.” And while his cousins across town may have been raised more traditionally observant, Magnus was sent to a Conservative Hebrew school three days a week and celebrated his bar mitzvah at the Hicksville Jewish Center on Long Island.[1]

He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from University of Virginia and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He earned a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Strayer College in 1993. His formal military education includes Naval Aviator Training, U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, and the National War College.

Magnus completing The Basic School at Quantico, Virginia in 1969 and then reported to the Naval Air Training Command, where he was designated a Naval Aviator. Gen Magnus’ operational assignments include: Intelligence Officer, HMM-264; Operations Officer, H&MS-15 SAR Detachment, Task Force Delta, Nam Phong, Thailand; Training Officer, SOES, MCAS Quantico; Aviation Safety Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 26 and HMM-263; Weapons and Tactics Instructor, Marine Aircraft Group 26 and HMM-261; Operations Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 29; Commanding Officer, HMM-365; Commander, Marine Corps Air Bases Western Area; Commanding General, MCAS Miramar; and Deputy Commander, Marine Forces Pacific (1999 – July 2000).

Gen Magnus’ staff assignments include Aviation Assault Medium Lift Requirements Officer; Chief, Logistics Readiness Center, Joint Staff; Executive Assistant to the Director of the Joint Staff; Head, Aviation Plans and Programs Branch; Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Aviation; Assistant Deputy Commandant for Plans, Policies, and Operations (July 2000 – August 2001); and Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources (August 2001-September 2005). He was advanced to the rank of General on November 1, 2005 and began his assignment as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps on November 8, 2005.[1]

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