Adar is here, Adar is here.

Our tradition teaches: when the month of Adar enters, merriment increases. The month of Adar is in full swing and that means Purim will soon be here! Adar is a time for joy and celebration of the triumph over evil. As you know the story of the smart and brilliant Queen Esther, her Uncle Mordechai, the puppet King Ahashuerus and the evil Anti-Jewish Haman still echoes in our own time. This timeless tale of court intrigue, although set in an historical context, (King Ahashuerus is identified as Xerxes, King of Persia and Media) is understood by Biblical scholars as much more of a historical novel! And of course it makes no mention of God. God's presence is certainly felt in the story, Esther fasts and prays. But our rabbis teach that God is "hester panim": God's face is hidden; it's also a play on words of Queen Esther's name and the fact that Esther hides her Jewishness!

We learn so much from this important tale. Whether it is fiction or not doesn't make the lesson any less true. We learn the value of speaking truth to power. Vashti would not be dehumanized by the drunken king and refused to prostitute herself before the court. Queen Esther prayed and reflected and then spoke truth to power saving the Jewish people of the Empire. We learn about God's saving grace even when it seems like God voice is absent; instead God speaks through our actions and courage. We also learn of the need to stand up for our beliefs and fight back when necessary.

All of these are important, especially in a world where Anti-Semitism is on the rise. We too must speak up when we are under attack and most importantly form strategic alliances. This is why interfaith dialogue is as important today as it ever was. I recently went to a celebration hosted by the American Jewish Congress and the Catholic Arch Bishop of Los Angeles, Jose Gomez, to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, the document that came out of Vatican II which rejected the Catholic teaching that the "Jews killed Jesus." This was known as the "Theology of Contempt".

So along with the joy and merriment of Purim, there is a very serious side of this holiday that is often lost among the topsy-turvy celebrations, purim schpiels and carnivals. Purim is often seen as a child's holiday with its costumes, hamentaschen and graggers. But far from it, Purim has a serious side as well.

I hope to see you at our Purim celebrations. This year, we will be celebrating Purim on Friday night, March 6 at Shabbat services with our Megillah reading and graggers for all! And on Saturday night March 7, we have a spectacular Purim Schpiel, "The Wizard of Shushan" at 7:30 pm. Join us for this night of laughter, community, and fun. Bar opens at 7:30 pm.

I look forward to seeing you at Purim. And remember that this month of Adar is a time for joy and celebration. Let it begin today!
 

Join Congregation Kol Ami and JIMENA for a panel discussion on the fate of religious minorities in the Middle East on February 26th at 7 PM at Kol Ami. 

Panelists:

Karmel Melamed - an award-winning, Iranian-Jewish journalist and human rights advocate active in Iran.

Raymond Ibrahim - a widely published author, public speaker and Middle East and Islam specialist, born in the U.S. to Coptic Egyptian parents.

Elias Kasem - a Yazidi activist displaced from Iraq during the first Gulf War. 

The panel will be moderated by Gina B. Nahai, a best selling author, regular contributor to the Jewish Journal and professor of creative writing at the University of of Southern California. 

This event is free and open to all. RSVP on Facebook to Kelsi at kcopeland@kol-ami.org or 323-606-0996.
 

Join us for a very special event! We will be showing a free screening of the film, "I Stand Corrected,"  the true story of jazz bass virtuoso, Jennifer Leitham, formerly known as John Leitham, who risked everything when she transitioned publicly during the height of her career in order to be her true self.

The film will be followed by a live jazz performance by Jennifer Leitham and a Q&A with the film's director, Andrea Meyerson!

This truly unique opportunity is happening Tuesday, March 2nd at 7:30 PM, here at Kol Ami. We have over 50 people RSVP'd and space is limited. Make sure you save your seat by calling 323-606-0996 or visiting the Facebook page.