https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/music-essays daily 0.75 2020-01-22 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/music-essays/anatevka-gwasdoff-hendrix monthly 0.5 2020-01-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1578292242280-T48FWCNT40P3XZL6A23O/Screen+Shot+2020-01-05+at+10.30.03+PM.png Music Essays - Anatevka, Jason Gwasdoff, and Jimi Hendrix https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1578294662982-9DEPGPJ8I35X2D8IH9W1/jimi+hendrix.jpg Music Essays - Anatevka, Jason Gwasdoff, and Jimi Hendrix https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/music-essays/category/My+History monthly 0.5 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/music-essays/tag/Anatevka monthly 0.5 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/jewish-text-study daily 0.75 2020-04-18 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/jewish-text-study/counting-the-omer-from-physical-freedom-to-spiritual-freedom monthly 0.5 2020-04-18 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/jewish-text-study/shabbat-evening-service monthly 0.5 2020-04-18 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/jewish-text-study/birkat-hamazon-blessing-after-meals monthly 0.5 2020-04-18 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/jewish-text-study/tag/Food monthly 0.5 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/justice-work daily 0.75 2023-02-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580351737437-LU5R63KQO2VU0EWCCLRN/IMG_8526.jpg Justice Work - Animal Advocacy and Beyond In 2010, I made the ethical decision to become a committed vegan and animal rights advocate. With billions of animals unnecessarily killed for food in the horrific conditions of factory farms and turned into clothing each year, I have come to believe that God would never condone our extreme manipulation of nature that has led to so many sentient beings experiencing Tsa’ar Ba’alei Chayim, animal suffering. Once I resolved to become vegan—a process that took about two years of intentional shift away from vegetarianism—I recognized that my work at CLUE taught me a Theory of Change that could be applied to animals, and I endeavored to incorporate my own nonprofit, Faith Action for Animals. Faith Action for Animals is “a coalition of faith leaders and activists who advocate and take action on behalf of animals who are exploited, abused, tortured and slaughtered for food, research, fashion and entertainment,utilizing religious language for animal and vegan advocacy” (mission statement). In 2022, Faith Action for Animals became Faith Action for All, recognizing that religious leaders must embrace concern for human animals as well as non-human ones, and for the planet which all of us share. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1566942930245-DR15Z9GSUE59AXZ9I6RL/GP-1.jpg Justice Work - Economic Justice For ten years, I led CLUE, the premiere faith-based clergy-led justice organization in Los Angeles. We put the power of the moral authority found in thousand year-old traditions to work for the poor, low income, and otherwise disenfranchised people that form the foundation of our society. All people should be able to feed their children, house their families, and have hope for their futures. At the root of economic justice is ensuring that everyone can live to their fullest potential, to make sure everyone has enough and that everyone knows what ‘enough’ is. Whether through Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice or through my current work as Founder/President/Executive Director of Faith Action for All: All Peoples, All Animals, Our Whole Planet, I am committed to the working poor, the disenfranchised, the marginalized…the inherent worth and dignity of every being as an honest player in creating a more Just and Sacred Society. https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/music daily 0.75 2020-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1566942849515-Q61IUEXMR4BWTSEYDZZR/JK-8.jpg Music https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/about-me daily 1.0 2025-07-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580263883638-0DI3B1RH49DG0F006O1G/6AED97F9-8AC5-4B61-91D0-3C4F2D8CBED2.jpg About Me Rabbi Klein currently serves as Treasurer on the national board of Interreligious Network for Worker Solidarity. Previously, he served as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles City’s Commission on Revenue Generation, having been appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (2018-2020). He has also served on the boards of the ACLU of Southern California and Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace, among others. Rabbi Klein was also formerly an elected delegate to the California Democratic Party, representing Assembly District 51 where he lives. While Rabbi Klein holds a progressive worldview, he is also a staunch promoter of bipartisanship and pluralism (see the attached text study): “Gandhi teaches that no one religion has the absolute truth; all religions are needed to obtain absolute truth. So, too, no one political perspective captures the totality of right and wrong. It is incumbent upon all of us to wake up to the wisdom of those with completely different worldviews.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580260116120-U4KFBYTB600MD7PYPAQB/BB436049-E940-4933-B12E-7AF2BAEC3DBB.jpeg About Me Rabbi Klein of course officiates at lifecycle events, including weddings, baby namings, funerals, and unveilings. A songleader, music enthusiast, and lover of Jewish mysticism, he is the proud parent of his 23 year-old Bruin-turn Brandeis PhD student son Rachmiel ("Rocky"), his 20 year-old daughter and wildly successful recording artist Kinneret, and his 15 year-old daughter and nachas machine Zimra Klein. Rabbi Klein personally practices and promotes veganism and permaculture from his home in Los Angeles. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580261982869-GHNUYMMVQJFSR9AA9OGY/ashleyanddaniel-127+copy.jpg About Me https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/contact daily 0.75 2020-06-23 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/rabbinical-roles daily 0.75 2020-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579660147705-1BGB1K3EB9DZFEF3PMPB/12339586_10100318790862631_3532622135571218518_o.jpg Rabbinical Roles Weddings Having performed scores of weddings, I’m excited to work with you to create a wedding experience that embraces your values and get to know you along the way. I perform weddings for LGBTQ+ and interfaith couples who are in love because we need more loving relationships in the world. Let’s celebrate the beauty and wisdom of Jewish wedding symbols in your ceremony: Chuppah (wedding canopy), Ketubah (Jewish wedding license), breaking the glass…. Bar/Bat/Brit Mitzvah Bar, Bat, and Brit Mitzvah (“Brit Mitzvah” is new language for non-binary children) ceremonies can be catered to the needs of the families and to the capacities of children. I offer an opportunity to work with your child, including the possibility of a “Destination Bar Mitzvah” in Israel. Let’s celebrate your child’s accomplishments! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579659647990-ACNFP1N5O5PJTU4YOHOY/Pastoral%2BCounceling.jpg Rabbinical Roles I know what it’s like to struggle and to be hurting inside. I also know that pain need not be permanent, at a minimum we can lessen it. Sometimes in our lives we need spiritual guidance. We can discuss your needs for up to 3 sessions, and I will work with you to find the support system you need, including referrals to therapists who might help in realms beyond my expertise. Let’s strategize your pathway to healing! Jewish wisdom can inform those who are grappling with the mega-issues; I would be honored to share those teachings with you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580261521801-UUKL0Z446OUDA4R58EMT/Brit1.jpg Rabbinical Roles Baby Naming/Brit Milah A child entering the world is our potential Messiah - our hope for the future. Your baby’s naming will be a celebration of life’s blessings. Upsherin A child at three frequently begins their formal education. Some communities wait until then for their first haircut (“Upsherin”) to mark this exciting new chapter. I will help you create a ritual for this exciting moment which celebrates learning, whether Jewish or secular, a core value of Judaism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1566949340775-M4WFS5BU64IZEZDPJWGS/image-asset.jpeg Rabbinical Roles Are you drawn to the Jewish people, culture, world view? Have you fallen in love with a Jewish partner and want to make your spiritual life whole? I will accompany you in the journey toward becoming part of the Jewish people—as your sponsor or by guiding your course of learning—so that you can celebrate Judaism in all its beauty, power, depth of meaning, and commitment to justice. The Jewish people want YOU! Let’s meet to set a curriculum for you. I will help you find your pathway to an introduction to Judaism class or accompany you as your sponsoring Rabbi. I will take you to the Beit Din and the Mikvah. It won’t be easy, but don’t be daunted! Help make the Jewish people more dynamic by joining us! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1578969784178-KPWTMCZVMUEP3TP553JO/Kinneret+Klein+%40+Kinneret+Israel.jpg Rabbinical Roles My daughter Kinneret at the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) in Northern Israel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579847205368-QZ75VS5SU7ITWMCWNC12/Jan+Ben+Wedding+%282%29.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579847216362-VTWFMNXLWFQJJD0KI2HB/Jan+Ben+Wedding+%2811%29.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579833003431-SWJYMV1YWWCUMY1RILBN/Brit4.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579833010796-588W3QGU9GAZ6BPPQH5D/Brit3.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579833012506-AISGOYMXQ56GDH6K5XQM/311394_10150418053493804_1681126010_n.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579833013301-E2ZFOL849Q4Q6VXT4SNL/301350_10150418053818804_1438210263_n.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579847372484-BB6SKW2HCD4F5340QCEQ/ashleyanddaniel-169.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580265306445-ZMW2HYO4O6EF9HWDP7PF/ashleyanddaniel-163.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579847327194-R66HRNA82OXG6L2ZQ0RE/ashleyanddaniel-438.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1579847376687-QHWUV63GI5YHOY9FU2YC/Emily+and+Josh+%233.jpg Rabbinical Roles https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1578298936015-Y1HMMYLG9PA7J2B2YAIR/image-asset.jpeg Rabbinical Roles Ending Relationships Divorce and breakups can be hard. Sometimes a ritual to acknowledge the change in reality can help both parties move forward in their healing. I will help you create a pathway to your next stage in your personal relationships, and if so desired or needed, point you to a traditional Get (Jewish bill of divorce). Funerals, Grief Counseling and Unveiling Ceremonies I will spend time learning about your loved one and insure that their memory is for a blessing. The ceremony is not only to honor the deceased, but also to comfort mourners, which is every bit my hope for you in this time of loss. Funerals, home Shiva services, and unveilings. https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/teachings daily 0.75 2020-04-18 https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/economic-justice daily 0.75 2020-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580350045060-QGWWFOBBAS87I3WW8NFJ/312813_2451830222446_798218789_n.jpg Economic Justice HOPE: Helping Others Prosper Economically In 2018, former CLUE Chair Rev. Norman Copeland (AME pastor based in San Bernardino, CA) invited me to help found HOPE for All. Based primarily in the Inland Empire, HOPE combines the worker-centered CLUE efforts with a commitment to the plight of each individual. As its founding Secretary, volunteer Director, and grant writer, we will improve the lives of struggling Southern California community members. Our mission: “HOPE for All will provide education, financial literacy services, business training, and community/economic development strategies to build the capacity and strengthen the structure of the surrounding communities, working with small businesses, nonprofits, unions, church leadership, and the neighborhoods that we serve.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580349819183-UZDSD83LN8W9YNMNBZDY/981536_10151954375932942_367811358_o.jpg Economic Justice Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) At CLUE, I helped them achieve their mission to educate, organize, and mobilize the faith community to accompany workers and their families in their struggle for good jobs, dignity, and justice. CLUE brings together clergy and lay leaders of all faiths with workers, immigrants and low-income families in the cause of a just economy that works for all and protects those most vulnerable. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1566942930245-DR15Z9GSUE59AXZ9I6RL/GP-1.jpg Economic Justice Immigrant Rights As the grandson of four Ukrainian emigres to the US at the turn of the 20th Century, as a Jew knowledgeable of the USS St. Louis, denied a port of entry and sent back to Europe where most of its passengers were murdered in the Shoah, and as a neighbor to predominantly Latino Angelenos, I know that we must “Love the stranger, for [we] were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Deut. 10:19). I am grateful for the many Latino friends and colleagues in my life, whose story is sacred. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427374753-BNUZKJLLKKCEHZWWSDNC/20294439_10155657314194090_8304705419882327737_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427374912-NYX158W3KEMZBRRQGJ5A/26026101_10155213798740980_3970834196039724312_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427375447-89IYB4TO4DKXXCAKMZ2T/26197898_10155213799340980_1735538390653316369_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427375576-VQR9ZQIN5OMDWW6BX0SW/27500777_2024253274258536_7105098854018778703_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427375810-VCRD14HX9ZPLO3E3DUBS/28796160_10211471325638831_8772151671459289117_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427377780-EBKHI1CAQTVH0V8G67M8/28059176_10212609047114414_7793897764152147968_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427541651-UW1KZJNUQLEB673GOYPM/12772047_10153967432174805_1705011423298957699_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427562640-XHXP1QHE5KH9ROBFP0J2/12744000_10205972839543632_6180495454698799889_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427541284-C4BECNYZGS8ILDK0Y2G4/14600981_10103233831497614_3829580969351416062_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427581396-L4VWRRM4DDA3GSGPJPY7/10981914_10103405368680695_6236327548482417168_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427581866-50MN36M9MA4A94FMJG4L/11878892_10206394713119669_1647178871419463082_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427604695-13B5KVP3HEJL0FB3VAIC/11014902_942693372449346_3000004072727344115_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427633033-HA0P0PNVXCLPKSAYBDQM/1599243_10154167055285613_5565599401657920635_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427632644-2QVE74CTXFW2X02B11KW/1782028_10152601711705980_8580978458554786600_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427664268-3TRR1IDY5A2NXRX1IGH5/476568_3035656765742_416121592_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427664186-KSKZ23JHRY6I3TQU96OA/740329_10151354023100980_1519579051_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427698097-4YHMKRGLFQCDLZOSI0A6/296567_10150357750429004_1916456471_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427720920-GU9JD4VKMR530FJVFR7N/189678_1938549985764_3937564_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427720789-7499AP38XFHBSH9D0KJ8/200728_1938620067516_4566055_n.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427841536-VKEEGL836QNPAY21SL0C/78144_473960405979_2607733_o.jpg Economic Justice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580349461249-BEV3QFP6UBAWR2UZBK9O/4CC52AB3-BB89-45EF-A959-7467AF7BF8A4.jpeg Economic Justice Civil Disobedience Risking arrest to fix broken societal structures is easy to do. The hard part is to do it with humility, for all the right reasons, not bound with one’s ego. It’s not an ends, but rather a means to a noble conclusion to societal injustices, requiring us to make sacrifices if we ever plan to fix societal ills. Here’s my history, not including those I declined: 1989 to demand an end to military aid to El Salvador (as a UCLA student) 1999 to protest NYPD’s 41 bullets in unarmed Amadou Diallo 2010 to demand Comprehensive Immigration Reform (Costa Mesa) 2013 to demand Walmart worker rights (Chinatown, for UFCW) 2017 to secure a fair contract for Los Angeles security officers 2018 to end over-policed Immigrant Detention (Los Angeles) 2018 to protect port truck drivers and TPS recipients (Long Beach) https://www.rabbijonathanklein.com/animal-advocacy daily 0.75 2020-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580354483173-HTXSG8JOG2I1PZ45C18W/532186_422119131171858_1811642676_n.jpg Animal Advocacy We have contributed faith leader voices to many victories, including but not limited to: — A ban on the sale of fur in West Hollywood (2011) and Los Angeles (2018), culminating in a California ban on sales in 2019. — A ban on the use of bullhooks on circus elephants in Los Angeles and Oakland, ultimately leading to an end of their usage nationally by Ringling Bros. — Statewide curbing of testing cosmetics on animals in California (2018), in which I personally testified in Sacramento. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580354332478-T46RPG5B13SYC3AJM4XJ/Compassionate%25252B%25252526%25252BCruelty-Free%25252BKapparot%25252B10-6-19.jpg Animal Advocacy Faith Action for Animals is “a coalition of faith leaders and activists who advocate and take action on behalf of animals who are exploited, abused, tortured and slaughtered for food, research, fashion and entertainment, utilizing religious language for animal and vegan advocacy” (our mission statement). We have organized faith leaders to encourage policymakers to protect these defenseless animals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580424202453-WRON8M3PI8K8D9HLT0A0/IMG_9084.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580424262886-W7N8RGN4VAR2YSRBGSXX/IMG_8898.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580424290736-AGPOC13QA5D604QHC64M/IMG_8986.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580424325769-O0RVGJZFG4DGWW6VWCBF/IMG_8566.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580426471987-41LYW6JTBZNDCC1G6R8O/IMG_8479.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580426548199-FRP14TYAA0EPOINCK6RV/10462384_10204592696350376_4476568225766670821_o.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580426564993-9KUWYQRRDW3PD7AW2G4D/10525823_10152203198192546_155965425883643595_n.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427224409-S9Z4WUR9HH37PTJ79HII/IMG_2829.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427456216-I2PZ7ZCP7I3SYI4WQGGI/17358695_1254782934628943_5891488128883647062_o.jpg Animal Advocacy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5d62df354f1a800001bfec1f/1580427469003-PP5XV2RT1DQ362T1OBSK/17359424_1254783617962208_96623926158743572_o.jpg Animal Advocacy