Amy Klein

Sukkat Shalom: From Uganda to U.S. and Back

Published on September 29, 2009

Indeed, we are very far from my Los Angeles home. The Abayudaya (“People of Judah” in Luganda, the local language) — 1,100 Jews in about eight communities — live mostly outside Mbale, a city some five hours east of Entebbe airport.

Seniors Opting to Go West, Build New Jewish Life

Published on May 20, 2009

Jean and Arnold Palestine are glad to be back home — an attached condo unit overlooking the craggy red mountains of the Arizona desert.

It Requires Some Work to Ensure a Happy Retirement

Published on May 20, 2009

Although most working stiffs imagine retired life to be heaven, “A life of incessant recreation and indolence is enough to drive any business entity like you or me mad after 3.5 years. And after you go mad you get old.

True confessions of an online dating addict #20: Don't believe everything you read

Published on December 17, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #19: I feel badly about the way it ended

Published on December 10, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #18: Keep mouth shut

Published on December 3, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #17: Things are not going well

Published on November 26, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #16: Marathon date with Jeremy

Published on November 19, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #15: All that’s left is me

Published on November 12, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #14: The next morning I evaluate the date

Published on November 7, 2008

‘Nick and Norah’ star Kat Dennings is infinitely Jewish, in her own way

Published on October 29, 2008

After an article about her appeared in Vanity Fair, she blogged, "push Aunt Nancy aside and throw open the screen door, because 'Hollywood's Next Wave' just got a lot Jewisher."

True confessions of an online dating addict #13: Jeremy looks like someone I met offline—normal

Published on October 29, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #12: How you kiss is who you are

Published on October 22, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #11: I’m not that kind of girl

Published on October 15, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #10: Dating more than one person at a time

Published on October 9, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #9: Out of 80 emails, it’s down to two guys

Published on October 1, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #8: Snappy answers to stupid questions

Published on September 24, 2008

With apologies to MAD Magazine

True confessions of an online dating addict #7: Not your typical Jewish parents

Published on September 17, 2008

They only want the best for me.

True confessions of an online dating addict #6: Nice guys finish last

Published on September 11, 2008

True confessions of an online dating addict #5: Shopping for a new date

Published on September 3, 2008

There's nothing better than coming home from a bad date and shopping for someone else.

True confessions of an online dating addict #4: Ben sounds cool and he lives nearby

Published on August 27, 2008

In the J-blogosphere, everybody knows your screen name

Published on August 27, 2008

"I didn't know there were non-Jewish bloggers," joked Likud leader and blogger Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu, who made a last-minute appearance to speak to the bloggers.

True confessions of an online dating addict #3: ‘I will not flake this time around’

Published on August 20, 2008

1. Return all emails. 2. Return phone calls 3. Follow up on all the guys I contacted . . .

True confessions of an online dating addict #2

Published on August 13, 2008

Our heroine decides she has no choice but to return to online dating . . .

True confessions of an online dating addict #1

Published on August 6, 2008

Amy Klein's 'confessions,' in graphic novel format. Illustrated by Amber Shields

With this list, I thee wed

Published on July 3, 2008

The psychic told her to write down a list of 100 qualities she wanted in a man, even down to his socks, and to put that list away somewhere.

Gays get married and I’m still single

Published on June 26, 2008

Maybe gay marriage is just what the world needs to make weddings sane.

Comic book strip draws on historical New York

Published on June 12, 2008

Katchor said he doesn't think there is a message to his comics -- just a model that people can contemplate. "It should send you back into the world looking at the world in some more subtle way," he said. "It's a lesson in how to look at the world."

LAPD seeks tips in identifying synagogue vandals, releases surveillance video

Published on June 6, 2008

Police are requesting the public's help in identifying the perpetrator of synagogue vandalism. On December 5, someone spraypainted a devil on the back wall of Congregation Beth Israel in Los Angeles. The vandalism was captured on video, and police believe a citizen will be able to identify the perpetrator.

Shavuot 5768: Creative twists fill large field of holiday events

Published on June 5, 2008

"My sense is that people gathering in synagogue for all or part of the night is expanding," said Rabbi Mark Diamond, executive vice president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California. "A lot of great learning takes place in the Los Angeles Jewish community on Shavuot."

Los Angeles Israeli Film Festival put focus on social justice—and secrets

Published on May 29, 2008

Critics and audiences alike can try to search for a political message in the 23rd Israeli Film Festival's premiere films

Double dating with Dad

Published on May 29, 2008

Joe Morris looks pretty good for a 79-year-old widower, his son Bob says in a new memoir. Despite the fact that Joe needs a hip replacement -- not to mention a dry cleaner for his yellow cardigan -- he has "smooth, tawny skin, silky silvery hair," is "fully conversant with the idea of happiness, especially his own," and, although it's only been a few months since his wife of 50 years died, he's about to start dating -- much to Bob's consternation

Meat packing raid stirs larger ethical and economic concerns

Published on May 22, 2008

Agriprocessor raid's effects ripple across the community

A transdenominational leader for a borderless world

Published on May 21, 2008

Everyone told he he should become a rabbi. So he did

Ultra-Orthodox establishment holds Israel hostage, prominent rabbi says

Published on May 15, 2008

Mormon missionaries meet modern Judaism

Published on May 8, 2008

A group of Mormon missionaries came to Palos Verdes' Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to hear a lecture by Rabbi Isaac Jeret of Congregation Ner Tamid, located right next door to the church. Jeret was one of three rabbis to address the Mormon missionary groups in an attempt to build further understanding between the two religious groups.

Table for none?

Published on May 5, 2008

They open, they close -- will this latest entry in the kosher restaurant wars survive a year?

Pico-Olympic traffic plan on hold after judge’s decision

Published on May 4, 2008

City of Los Angeles has been ordered to conduct a new environmental impact report (EIR) before implementing the Pico-Olympic traffic plan.

Halacha is just a click away at online yeshiva

Published on May 4, 2008

Like other virtual learning and videoconferencing, Web Yeshiva students see and hear each other and the instructor in the virtual classroom.

It’s not about a plan

Published on May 2, 2008

Religion Editor Amy Klein speaks with Rabbi Sherre Hirsch about Hirsch's new book 'We Plan, God Laughs: 10 Steps to Finding Your Divine Path When Life is Not Turning Out Like You Wanted'

Settle down

Published on May 1, 2008

Lori Gottlieb isn't advocating marrying a man who repulses you or puts you to sleep every time he answers the question, "How was your day, dear?"

Table for none?

Published on May 1, 2008

In December 2006, the Prime Grill, a branch of the popular New York kosher steakhouse, opened its doors in Beverly Hills promising a new experience in kosher dining. But little more than a year after it opened, rumors spread that the luxurious restaurant on Rodeo Drive was about to close.

Books: Leaving Russia behind—somewhat

Published on April 24, 2008

When Perestroika came in 1985, anti-Jewish feeling in Russia became even more overt than it had been during the Soviet era.

Briefs: Newsweek ranks the rabbis, ‘Passover in a Box’

Published on April 17, 2008

News Briefs

Leading . . .  by pulling back

Published on April 17, 2008

When Lori Schneide was 16 years old, she lived in India for the summer.

"I had this deep impression of calling," she said. "There's something we all can humbly contribute."

300 ways to make it a multi-cultural seder

Published on April 17, 2008

That means, "Why is this night different from all other nights," in Sranan.

But what's Sranan, you ask? Sranan is the primary language spoken in South America's Suriname, which has one of the oldest Jewish populations on the American continent. Is is also spoken in Aruba, Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles -- with a total of 426,400 speakers today.

On the third night, the seder went green

Published on April 10, 2008

Passover is also called the "Holiday of Spring," a time when green symbolizes new life. The color also represents all things eco-friendly, which serves as the inspiration for this year's Workmen's Circle community seder.

Women keep out—this seder’s for men only

Published on April 10, 2008

"Avadim Hayinu," one of the first refrains of the Passover seder, usually refers to the fact that we were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt. "What enslaves us as men," is another interpretation -- this at The Man Seder, the third annual men-only pre-Passover gathering, which takes place at American Jewish University this year on April 13.

Will L.A. top rabbis make ‘Top Rabbi’ list—again?

Published on April 10, 2008

Last year, when Newsweek published its inaugural list of America's 50 most influential rabbis, Jay Sanderson, one of the list's creators, said he was surprised by how much buzz it generated.

Accountability

Published on April 10, 2008

As usual, it started out with questions.

"Where do you work? What do you do? Have you been on any trips lately?"

I was all for talking about myself, what I do, where I've been, where I'm going. But then it got personal.