Rabbi Paul Kipnes

Rabbi Paul Kipnes (he/him/his) is the spiritual leader of Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas, California. He also serves as rabbinic dean at URJ Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, CA. He consults on synagogue disruption and transformation, using his viral articles, Disruptive Judaism: Will Your Synagogue Be Beit Blockbuster or Kehillat Netflix and Synagogue dues are dead: What’s the price point at which quitting the temple is impossible? Rabbi Kipnes and his wife, Michelle November, co-wrote Jewish Spiritual Parenting. He also co-edited a national CCAR Journal issue, "New Visions for Jewish Community." His searing poetry and insightful writings can be viewed at PaulKipnes.com. 

Torrah and Kippah
Tol'dot

Isaac Remembers When He Ended It with Abraham

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Paul Kipnes
In Parashat Tol’dot, Isaac is described as having “weak eyes,” which is considered a metaphor for his inability to see what his twin sons Jacob and Esau needed from him ( Gen. 27:1). Why was he so poorly prepared to father his boys? In this midrashic monologue, Isaac gives us a clue as he reflects upon his relationship with his own father.
Torrah and Kippah
Vayeira

Sacrifice My Son? What Was I Thinking?

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Paul Kipnes
Did you ever wonder what Abraham thought about in the years following his “almost-sacrifice” of his son Isaac? In this midrashic monologue based on Parashat Vayeira , we imagine Abraham’s inner struggles:
Torrah and Kippah
Lech L'cha

The Challenge of Letting Go of Children

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Paul Kipnes
“Lech L’cha: Heartbreak and Hopefulness as Children Go Off and Move On,” is spoken-word poetry to dramatize the wide array of thoughts and feelings that occur to Abram's parents .
Torrah and Kippah
Noach

Naming Naamah, Noach’s Wife (and the Other Torah Women Too)

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Paul Kipnes
In this week’s parashah, Noach, we hear from Noah’s unnamed wife. She reminds us that it is not easy being one of the women in the Torah. Although these women ensured the future of humanity and of our people Israel, too often they are unnamed, demonized, silenced, or forgotten.