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Testimony on Religious Liberty
Last week I had the opportunity again (the last of this session, probably) to testify in front of the Washington State Legislature. This time it was in front of the House Judiciary Committee on behalf of Substitute Senate Bill 5173, which would create two unpaid holidays of faith and conscience for students and public employees.…
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Clouds, God and Harold Ramis z’l
This week’s Torah reading (parasha Pikudei) brings us to the end of the book of Exodus. After the communal journey of the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, through the Red Sea, to Mount Sinai where they received the Torah, the book of Exodus ends on a very private note-Moses himself assembling the Tabernacle. After the…
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Why I Support the Death Penalty. And Why I am Wrong.
Earlier this month Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued a moratorium on the use of the death penalty in our state. In his February 11 remarks, the Governor said, Equal justice under the law is the state’s primary responsibility. And in death penalty cases, I’m not convinced equal justice is being served. The use of the death…
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Welcoming remarks from forum on The People’s House
Last night TBH hosted a community forum about The People’s House, the new proposed homeless shelter for downtown Olympia. Here are my short welcoming remarks: My name is Rabbi Seth Goldstein, and I would like to welcome you to Temple Beth Hatfiloh—welcome back to those who have been here in the past, and welcome to…
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Is the Story of the Golden Calf a Love Story? A d’var Torah for Ki Tissa (and Valentine’s Day)
Today is Valentine’s Day, the day set aside to focus on romantic love. I know this holiday isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. It might seem too commercial, a “Hallmark holiday” as it is sometimes called. And it is a day that is especially hard for those who are not in a relationship at the moment,…
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Testimony on Gun Legislation
I had the opportunity to offer testimony in front of the Washington State Senate committee considering background checks on gun purchases. Here is what I said in my allotted 1 minute: Senator Padden and members of the committee, my name is Rabbi Seth Goldstein and I serve the Jewish community of Olympia. I come here…
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Sharing a Playbook? Rabbis and the Seahawks
Well, we know how things turned out last Sunday, don’t we. In a spectacular display of prowess, the Seattle Seahawks dominated the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl, winning the championship by a score of 43 to 8. Just like for the NFC championship, I was out of Washington at a conference during the game.…
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The 12th Man and the 10th Man
Last Sunday I headed down to LA to take part in a spiritual retreat, a wonderfully intense week full of song and silence, meditation and prayer, movement and stillness. It was an experience on which I am still reflecting. But before the retreat began, there was a moment of despair when I realized that I…
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Why I Have a Poster of Dr. Martin Luther King in My Office
Once in a while I will invite someone into my study, either for an appointment or a meeting, and they will look around in wonder when they step in there for the first time, as if it is some secret inner sanctum. The rabbi’s office is not a place one is wont to go when…
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