If you're thinking of converting to Judaism: Completion of the Intro Program fulfills the learning requirements for conversion of the Rabbinical Assembly of America. Once you finish the course requirements and secure a sponsoring rabbi, you are eligible to become officially part of the Jewish People. If you're already Jewish: Whether you were born Jewish but never quite learned what it’s all about, you’re back after a long hiatus, or you’re just looking for a deeper understanding of your heritage, most of us could use a bit of a refresher. Jews from all walks of life enroll in the program: from people who had a Jewish day school education to those whose strongest connection was the annual box of matza on the kitchen counter. Topic: 2022 Miller Introduction to Judaism Sundays, Starting January 23, 2022 Time: 11:45 AM – 1:15 PM Pacific Time Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89104655894?pwd=MHZ5clB6alBzYjBMZkIzWXllcndiZz09 Meeting ID: 891 0465 5894 Passcode: 228084

I am typically in my office at Temple Sholom of Ontario on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:15 am - 1:15 pm. I am typically available unless I have a pre-arranged appointment or commitment.

Shmini Atzeret (Eighth Day of Assembly) for Hebrew Year 5781 begins at sundown on Friday, 9 October 2020 and ends at nightfall on Saturday, 10 October 2020. Shemini Atzeret (שמיני עצרת - "the Eighth [day] of Assembly") is a Jewish holiday. It is celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei (first month of calendar). In the Diaspora, an additional day is celebrated, the second day being separately referred to as Simchat Torah. In Israel and Reform Judaism, the holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are combined into a single day and the names are used interchangeably.

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai / פרשת בְּהַר־בְּחֻקֹּתַי Read on 8 May 2021 (26 Iyyar 5781). Parashat Behar-Bechukotai is the 32nd and 33rd weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-27:34 The first of this double portion, Behar (בהר), starts talking about a Shabbat for the land. We sow and reap for six years, but leave the land a year of rest in the seventh year. We do not work the land in that year, but we, and anyone else in need, are allowed to gather any produce that the land provides. Hashem assures us that we have plentiful crop in the other years to provide for those years of rest. If our fellow is in dire straits, we provide a no-interest loan. If they can not pay it back by the seventh year, all debts are forgiven. Hashem assures us that what we think we will lose by not having the loan paid back will be made up by prosperity. The highest form of charity is to do business with a fellow Jew to help them make a living. Seven by seven years is the Jubilee year. Any land that has been sold off because our fellows has not been successful is returned. We are paid for the amount of time we used the land. If our fellow has to sell themselves to fellow Israelites because they can not support themselves, they go free in that Jubilee year as well. Meanwhile, a fellow’s relatives should do all they can to redeem them. Foreign slaves, however, do not get freed. The second of the two portions, Bechukotai,(בחקתי),, discusses the blessings and the warnings if the Israelites do, or don’t do the commandments. It starts out discussing the blessings, that if the Children of Israel follow Hashem’s decrees and judgments and perform them, the rain will appear at their proper times and there will be prosperity. They will not fear any enemy and defeat any that attack them. Hashem will walk with us. The sedra then goes on to discuss the consequences of us not following G-d’s laws, the “admonition” or “tochachah”. This seven series of progressively worse consequences that will befall Israel for not following Hashem’s laws and decrees. As the people get more and more apathetic, the consequences get worse and worse. Finally, Israel sees the error of their ways and return to Hashem, who in turn restores their strength and prosperity. Ultimately, however, each stage of punishment is a call to repent. Finally, Bechukotai and Leviticus ends with gifts to the Temple. People can have themselves or their animals assessed for a contrived value, which they then donate.

Parashat Emor / פרשת אֱמוֹר Read on 1 May 2021 (19 Iyyar 5781). Parashat Emor is the 31st weekly Torah portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading. Torah Portion: Leviticus 21:1-24:23 This portion starts out discussing various laws of the Kohenim, the priests. It starts off by admonishing priests that they are holy and should only participate in performing last rites if there is no one else to do it. A priest may “contaminate” himself only if the deceased is a member of his immediate family. A cohen must only marry a woman who has not yet been married. A Cohen may not make any gashes or alterations to his body. Likewise, in order to officiate at the Temple, he must not have any disqualifying blemishes or deformities. Animals being used as offerings must also be free of disqualifying blemishes or deformities. He may, however, eat terumah or food offerings. Verses 31 and 32 of chapter 22 is considered a very important verse, Torah in microcosm. Verse 31 tells us to observe and perform Hashem’s commandments. Verse 32 tells us not to desecrate Hashem’s holy name. Associated with these verses, the sages tell us that the only times we are to give up our lives is when faced with either idolatry, sexual perversion, or unnecessary bloodshed. The sedrah then discusses the three pilgrimage festivals observed throughout the Jewish year. They are described as mo’adim, or appointed times, because that’s when Jews come together to meet. The Children of Israel are commanded to designate these dates as special times. Passover, or Pesach, is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month. This is Nisan observed in the spring. We are to do no laborious work (preparing food is fine). We are to eat only unleavened bread for seven days (eight in the diaspora). Starting on the second day, we count the Omer, the offering of the first grain harvest, barley. This reflects the ancient practice of bringing the first harvest to the Temple as an offering. An omer is a unit of dry measure, equal to the volume of 43.2 eggs. We count the Omer for forty-nine days to arrive at Shavuot. This celebrates Moses bringing Israel the Law, the Ten Commandments. Shavuot also is the festival of reaping. In the seventh month on the first day is Rosh Hashannah, described as a day of remembrance with shofar blasts. Ten days later is Yom Kippur, the day we afflict ourselves and repent our sins. On the fifteenth day, we observe Sukkot, the Festival of Booths and the culmination of our process of repentance and redemption. This commemorates the protection Hashem gave us when we wandered in the wilderness. It is also the time when the summer’s produce is gathered. This ends with Atzeret, the day of assembly. We are then commanded to take the four species, the estrog/citron (resembles the heart); lulav/palm branch (representing the spine); hadasim/myrtle leaves (representing the eyes); and the aravot/willow branch (representing the lips). They are held together and used during the Sukkot services. Finally, we are commanded to perform the lighting of the Menorah, and placing the twelves loaves of the showbread on the table in the Temple.

At ModernRabbiShmuel, I officate at all Jewish Life Cycle Events including traditional and non-traditional, affiliated and non-affiliated, and Jewish and Interfaith. Personalized and meaningful services for lasting, beautiful memories. https://www.modernrabbistephen.com Top of Page Upcoming Events Shabbat Times Services New Blog Videos Upcoming Events Upcoming Events מספר תאריכים Friday Night Shabbat Ma'ariv Service יום ו׳, 09 באוק׳ Temple Sholom of Ontario עוד פרטים אישורי הגעה מספר תאריכים Saturday Morning Shabbat Shacharit Service שבת, 10 באוק׳ Temple Sholom of Ontario עוד פרטים אישורי הגעה מספר תאריכים Miller Course, Introduction to Judaism יום א׳, 11 באוק׳ Zoom עוד פרטים אישורי הגעה מספר תאריכים Adult Hebrew Class II יום א׳, 11 באוק׳ Temple Sholom of Ontario עוד פרטים אישורי הגעה 2026 Jewish Federation Book Festival יום א׳, 25 באוק׳ Temple Sholom of Ontario עוד פרטים אישורי הגעה New Blog NewBlog This week's 10-Minute Torah (May 8, 2021): "Parashat Behar-Bechukotai" 5781 Rabbi Stephen Epstein 3 במאי 2021 זמן קריאה 2 דקות This week's 10-Minute Torah (May 1, 2021): "Parashat Emor" 5781 Rabbi Stephen Epstein 29 באפר׳ 2021 זמן קריאה 2 דקות Services Services Offered Rabbi Stephen S. Epstein A Modern Conservative Rabb i Baby Naming Bar & Bat Mitzvot Spiritual Counseling Individualized Torah Study Funerals & Memorials Conversions Weddings Videos All Videos כל הקטגוריות צפייה בסרטון צפייה בסרטון 06:41 Rabbi Stephen Epstein (Rav Shmuel) TSO Dancing with the Torot Simchat Torah 5787 Erev Simchat Torah, congregation of Temple Sholom of Ontario dancing with our Torahs. צפייה בסרטון צפייה בסרטון 09:00 Rabbi Stephen Epstein (Rav Shmuel) Sermon for Shabbat Shmini Atzeret 5787 (2 October 2026) Overcoming adversity to succeed in the New Year צפייה בסרטון צפייה בסרטון 10:58 Rabbi Stephen Epstein (Rav Shmuel) Parashat Bereishit 5787 (10 October 2026) Beginning of triennial year 2. New Year's resolutions for real; made in G-d's image. Growing through adversity. צפייה בסרטון צפייה בסרטון 36:59 Rabbi Stephen Epstein (Rav Shmuel) Adult Hebrew II Shmini Atzeret 5787 Reviewing the upcoming portion for Shmini Atzeret/Shabbat 5787 צפייה בסרטון צפייה בסרטון 04:50 Rabbi Stephen Epstein (Rav Shmuel) How to Shake the Lulav and Etrog for Sukkot Taking you through shaking the Lulav and Etrog for Sullot during Hallel צפייה בסרטון צפייה בסרטון 08:03 Rabbi Stephen Epstein (Rav Shmuel) Friday Night Sermon for Shabbat Sukkot (25 September 2026) Hashem (G-d) putting a "Sukkot" (tent/covering) around us. The fragility of life and how to navigate. טען עוד Videos Shabbat Times

As a modern rabbi, I apply classic, traditional Jewish principles to modern times, focusing on spiritual inspiration. Background RABBI August 2020 - Present Rabbi Temple Sholom of Ontario , Ontario, CA Serving as the religious leader of this Conservative synagogue affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. The beginning of my practice was during the COVID epidemic. I led services mostly via Zoom. I continue to lead my congregation in the midst of the worst anitsemitism since the Holocaust. As the membership had shrunk over the years, I worked to keep the synagogue engaged with activities and growing. I organized and teach weekly Religious school on Sundays in person and B'nai Mitzvah training. I now conduct live services each Shabbat accompanying myself with guitar on Friday nights. I conduct the Miller Course , Introduction to Judaism once or twice a year, and arrange conversion ceremonies. I conduct an Advanced Hebrew Class in which we review the Hebrew for the upcoming triennial Torah portion with congregants who are the gabbais. I have participated in events with other local synagogues and am active in community outreach, giving invocations at various local government functions. In conducting live services, I read directly from Torah and usually chant the Haftorah. I also officiate at wedding ceremonies, many of which were "mixed" and interfaith, and funerals for both congregants and non-congregants. These past High Holidays, I also served as cantor for Rosh Hashannah and Yom Kippur using the appropriate nusach as well as the other festivals. Ordained Rabbi Independent Congregation/"Shteibel" Lake Elsinore, CA September 2019 – August 2020 Leading independent, non-affiliated Conservative congregation. Conducting High Holiday and Shabbat services. Serving the community conducting Life Events for affiliated and non-affiliated, traditional and inter-faith couples. Ordained Rabbi Congregation B’nai Chaim Murrieta, CA July, 2017 – August, 2019 Lay Rabbi/Religious Leader Congregation B’nai Chaim Murrieta, CA July, 2014 – June, 2017 Conducting regular Friday night and Saturday morning services for Conservative Congregation. Services are accompanied by my guitar playing which has lead to other congregants accompanying me playing violin and guitar as well. I officiate Family Services once a month in which our students from our school lead the service. Leading High Holiday services chanting appropriate nusach. Conduct holiday services that fall on New Moon and other holidays. Able to read directly from Torah scroll. Familiarity with both Torah and Haftorah cantillations. Trained four adults in Hebrew and Torah chanting for first all-adult B’nai Mitzvot conducted for Saturday Shabbat Mincha-Ma’ariv. Have trained numerous B’nai Mitzvot for both traditional Haftorah and Maftir Torah. Taught Hebrew and Prayers & Torah Classes for Adults. Currently teaching Hebrew school class for B’nai Mitzvot students. Have organized many events for synagogue including NJOP’s Shabbat Across America 2019 with Rebbetzin. Active in fund raising for the synagogue. Since I became rabbi two years ago, membership has more than doubled. -Continuously studying Artscroll (Orthodox) and Soncino (Conservative) Chumashes. -Studying Talmud for 15 years as part of “Daf Yomi” program using the Artscroll Talmud Series -Studied Kabbalah reading Zohar edited by David Matt -Consistently pray all three services daily including tefillin during secular mornings. PART OF "BEIT DIN"/RABBINICAL TEAM September 2007 – June 2012 Canyon Lake, CA Co-lead lay congregation for "Conservadox" congregation. Participated in leading Shabbat and High Holiday services, including reading Torah and Haftorah. Also conducted periodic Sunday morning themed Talmud studies on various topics such as the Role of Women in Judaism and Astrology. CONGREGATION MEMBER J une 1999 - June 2007 Murrieta, CA Served on board for seven years including President of the congregation for two years. Also assisted rabbi’s in conducting services and substituting during their absences. Conducted Torah study for adults. Instituted and led once-a-month Shabbat Shachrit junior congregation. PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN February, 1986 -December, 1991 Served on Nursing staff of psychiatric facility. Individual and group counseling activities; assistant charge nurse. Worked with variety of demographics: adolescent behavior and chemical dependency; adult chemical dependency; eating disorders; personality disorders including multiple personality disorders; psychotic and delusional disorders. EDUCATION Rabbinical Ordination, Rabbinical Seminary International, New York, NY June 2017 MBA, Business Management University of Redlands, Redlands, CA BA, Psychology State University of New York, College at Oswego AS, Psychiatric Technology Saddleback Community College, Mission Viejo, CA

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