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The Joy of Judaism Through the Creative Arts

06/12/2026

CAT's very own Caleb, the Spy!

This week's Parsha, Shelach, tells the story of the twelve spies sent to explore the Promised Land.

All twelve saw the same land.
All twelve saw the same challenges.

Yet ten returned focused on the obstacles, while only two, Joshua and Caleb, remained focused on the possibility.

The lesson feels as relevant today as ever:

Fear can distort reality.

When we look through the lens of fear, even opportunity can appear impossible. When we look through the lens of faith, courage, and purpose, we begin to see paths where others see walls.

The circumstances may not change.
What changes is our perspective.

May we have the wisdom to recognize when fear is speaking, the courage to move forward anyway, and the faith to trust that we are capable of more than we think.

✨ Shabbat Shalom ✨

Most sincerely,
Cantor Chelsana

06/06/2026

This week’s parsha, Beha’alotcha, reminds us that growth often begins with a single step of light. The menorah’s flames were kindled one lamp at a time, teaching that even small acts of faith, kindness, and consistency can illuminate far more than we realize.

As we enter Shabbat, may we focus less on perfection and more on progress, trusting that every bit of light we add helps brighten the world around us. ✨

Shabbat Shalom!

Creative Arts Temple

05/29/2026

This week we read Parashat Nasso — the longest parsha in the entire Torah! From the Levite census to the laws of the Nazirite vow, from the beautiful Birkat Kohanim (priestly blessing) to the dedication offerings of all twelve tribal princes... there is SO much here.

One of our favorite moments in this parsha: the Torah lists each prince's offering twelve times, even though every gift was identical. Why? Because each one carried a different intention, a different heart. The Torah honored that inner uniqueness by treating each gift as one of a kind.

What a reminder as we head into Shabbat — that how and why we show up matters just as much as what we bring. 🙏

Wishing you a peaceful, meaningful Shabbat from Creative Arts Temple

05/22/2026

Chag Sameach and Shabbat Shalom ✨

This Friday we celebrate the first day of Shavuot, remembering the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. May this holiday bring clarity, wisdom, peace, and meaningful connection with family, community, and faith.

Creative Arts Temple

05/15/2026

As we enter this Shabbat and begin the book of Bamidbar - “In the Wilderness” - we meet the Israelites on the threshold of transformation. The wilderness is not only a physical place, but a spiritual one: the space between who we were and who we are becoming. It is in the wilderness that we learn to surrender and trust and to discover the Divine Presence even in uncertainty. I know this, all our lives carry sacred purpose even when the path is not fully clear.

This Shabbat is also Shabbat Machar Chodesh, anticipating the arrival of Rosh Chodesh Sivan - the new moon of the month in which we prepare to receive Torah at Sinai. Before revelation comes the wilderness. Before receiving comes making space.

Incidentally, and I think very related, I’ve been drinking lots of tea. I’ve rediscovered my favorite tea from Good Earth - sweet and spicy. It seems as though every time I look at the tea bag message, it says the same thing, “when you have the courage to say goodbye, you are welcomed with a new hello.” Yes, I take guidance from a teabag…sometimes.

And so, I leave you with this: May this Shabbat help us quiet the noise around us and within us so that we can hear the still, sacred voice calling us forward. And may the new month bring fresh light, deeper connection, and the courage to continue the journey with faith and love.

Shabbat Shalom, my dear friends.

Cantor Chelsana

05/08/2026

This week’s double parsha, Behar–Bechukotai, reminds us of something both ancient and deeply relevant: that life moves in cycles of striving and release, planting and resting, fear and faith.

In Behar, we are introduced to the concept of the Sabbatical year - a sacred pause for the land itself. The earth is commanded to rest. Holiness is also found in stillness, trust, and renewal.

And in Bechukotai, we are reminded that blessings unfold when we walk with awareness, integrity, and connection. Even through fear as we keep presence.

This parsha makes me think about how often we resist the natural rhythms of our lives. We hold tension, grief, uncertainty, or pressure long after our souls are asking for rest. But perhaps faith is not only believing we can survive difficult seasons - perhaps faith is trusting that renewal is built into creation itself.

Wishing you all a Shabbat of peace, restoration, and blessing.

Shabbat Shalom.

Cantor Chelsana

04/24/2026

This week’s double portion, Acharei Mot–Kedoshim, brings together two profound ideas: what comes after loss, and what it means to live a life of holiness.

Acharei Mot begins in the shadow of death, reminding us that even after grief, life asks us to keep walking forward. And then Kedoshim calls to us with the words, “Kedoshim tihyu” — “You shall be holy.”

Sometimes we think holiness is found only in extraordinary moments, but often it is found in the quiet ways we continue after heartbreak — in memory, in love, and in the way we carry those we have lost into the lives we keep living.

As I reflect this week, my father is in my thoughts every moment of the day and night, and of how those we truly love never fully leave us. There is a panic that sets into my system as time passes and his death is further behind us. I see him in my mind’s eye and hear his voice in the ether as I remember instances or conjure up what he would’ve said to me. It’s like he’s just in front of me but it’s accompanied by the pang of not having him the way we did. However, I feel him so present and am reminded that our loved ones presence can remain in the values they gave us, the love they planted in us, and in the way their memory continues to shape who we are becoming.

Perhaps holiness is not only found in perfect moments, but in the courage to keep opening our hearts even after loss.

Wishing you all a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat.

Cantor Chelsana

04/17/2026

Dear CAT Family,

I am writing to let you know that we are working on getting services together for the upcoming months. Right after my father’s funeral, we had to be by his cousin’s side who passed three weeks later. My mother and I have just returned from NY after burying him and we are finally able to organize everything, process, and grieve.

We have not abandoned you and always have you on our minds. We look forward to being together again and building the community. Please let us know of your interest, as we’re also planning the High Holidays.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Shabbat shalom to you all. May it be beautiful, filled with peace and love.

With much gratitude,

Cantor Chelsana

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P. O. Box 241831
Los Angeles, CA
90024

Telephone

+13107209618

Website

http://www.creativeartstemple.org/

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