Edmon J. Rodman, JTA
Bummed by Clinton loss? It is still Thanksgiving
Edmon J. Rodman, JTANov 17, 2016
It was just last week, on the night of Nov. 8, that my family had all anxiously exchanged text messages as we watched the election results trickle in. State by
Reclaiming the ‘harvest’ aspect of Shavuot
Edmon J. Rodman, JTAJun 09, 2016
As we approach Shavuot, there’s a battle going on in our garden over who — or what — will get our first fruits. In ancient days in Israel, beginning at Shavuot...
Not just fruit: Tu b’Shevat a chance for personal growth
Edmon J. Rodman, JTAJan 21, 2016
LOS ANGELES — For the last three years, I’ve celebrated Tu bShevat the Jewish New Year of the Trees by organizing a participatory seder in a nearby...
When getting a little gelt was as good as gold
Edmon J. Rodman, JTADec 10, 2014
CHANUKAH EDITION SECTION E PAGE 8 LOS ANGELES What can a buck get you on Chanukah? Maybe a gold mesh bag of chocolate coins or a lighter for your […]
At Thanksgiving, looking out for the needy
Edmon J. Rodman, JTANov 20, 2014
AS WE prepare for our Thanksgiving feasts, a 90-year-old Jewish man named Arnold Abbott is stirring the pot in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., about hunger and homelessness in...
Is a lunar eclipse on Sukkot an ominous sign?
Edmon J. Rodman, JTAOct 06, 2014
LOS ANGELES As we usher in Sukkot, will there be a blood moon rising? John Hagee, the San Antonio pastor who wrote the book Four Blood Moons: Something is […]
Shofar makes house calls
Edmon J. Rodman, JTASep 19, 2014
ROSH HASHANAH EDITIONSECTION D PAGE 13 LOS ANGELES In preparation for the High Holidays last year, my community sent its shofar blower on the road. During the month...
Shhh . . . No! Be noisy!
Edmon J. Rodman, JTAMar 13, 2014
LOS ANGELES On Purim, can we really blot out the memory of an evil like Haman, who threatened our very existence, with a noisemaker? When in a popular Purim
Digging for spiritual growth on Tu b’Shevat
Edmon J. Rodman, JTAJan 13, 2014
LOS ANGELES While my neighbors were putting their Christmas trees to the curb, in what seems like a ritual of replacement, I was preparing to plant for Tu bShvat....
Gobble tov! Insightful aspects of Thanksgivukah
Edmon J. Rodman, JTANov 25, 2013
CHANUKAH EDITIONSECTION E PAGE 5 LOS ANGELES If the Pilgrims are lighting menorahs and the Maccabees are chasing turkeys, it must be Thanksgivukah, as some have come...