I’m looking to expand my practice as a Jew. I turned 72 last November, and, along with the barbarism that occured in Israel on October 7th 2023, and the scandalous rise in antisemitism both across the US and locally (and among Progressives) I’ve been feeling like I’ve missed out on an important part or my life.
I emailed the following to Rabbi Naomi Steinberg on December 28th. Today is February 8th. I haven’t heard a word back. I don’t believe that anything in my email is offensive. I just really wanted an answer to the question “Are you a Zionist?” This is because I have heard that she is in fact anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, (I am not surprised by this as many of my tribe are Progressive) and that she once signed a letter to our local media, condemning Israel’s policies in Gaza and claiming to be the “spokesperson for all Jews in Humboldt County.” I wanted to test the waters, to see if I would be welcome within her congregation, even though my position on Israel is that I unequivocally support Israel’s right to exist and to protect itself, and I reject all of the lies about Israel that have populated over the last eighty (maybe 100) years.
Temple Beth El, being a reform synagogue (as was the shul I attended in Chicago when I was growing up) and being within just about a mile from my present residence looks like it would be a good fit for me (also, well, it’s sort of named after me. I go by “El’ mosty).
El Arseneau <el.arseneau@gmail.com>
Sun, Dec 28, 2025, 5:22 AM
to templebetheleurekaca@gmail.com
Shalom Rabbi Naomi:
Although I have been living here in Eureka since 2004, I have not been much more than a High Holy Days / Channukah Jew, and have only recently thought about seeking out other Jews. Actually, my whole life has been like that, aside from spending some time in Israel (back in 1974). Up until my retirement I had been working here in Eureka and I have met a few or your members (when I sold furniture at Gottshalks (March 2004 – June 2009)).
You appear to be one of only two shul choices in Humboldt County. I have met with Rabbi Cowen of Chabad, and although he was very interesting (and acutely joyful) I am not sure if that degree of orthodoxy is a good fit for me, especially since I haven’t been very observant during my life (I am 72 as of November 15th). Also I am somewhat of an adherent to Baruch Spinoza, and very familiar with Advaita Vedanta. In actual spiritual practice, my wife and I have been attending monthly Kirtan sessions in Arcata, since 2019, led by Shemaia Skywater (a local Jewish Yogini). Kirtan is a Yoga practice, one of the forms of Bhakti Yoga. There is a Jewish twist to this that I am very interested in: Rabbi Andrew Hahn who has adapted the Kirtan style using Hebrew instead of Hindi. Here’s a link: https://youtu.be/pfQh_LRbmDw?si=X5U08jnjb2gtYVnX
That’s probably more information than you might want to know, but if you want more, visit my blog at https://el.urgod.org
The thing that has really piqued my interest in resuming / renewing my Judaic practice were the barbaric events that occured on October 7th 2023. I am very supportive of Israel and I administer two of the Progressive Zionist groups on Facebook: Humboldt Progressive Zionists, and Leftist Zionist. By “Progressive” I mean someone who more or less supports the political agenda of those Congressional members called “the squad,” (and of course Bernie Sanders in the Senate), and by “Zionist” I mean someone who emphatically supports the right of Israel to exist and to protect it’s citizenry by any moral/humane means. If you visit my blog, specifically the section el.urgod.org/israel/ that will be made very clear.
So, what is your view on the State of Israel. Are you a Zionist?
Yalla bye,
Ellis “El” Arseneau
https;//design.urgod.org
So, I guess I get to drive to Arcata when I get the urge to fellowship with my Jewish family. One thing about Chabad is that they really, really, really are experts in Judaism, and they claim to not pressure people into being more observant then they are comfortable with. I did get to meet with Rabbi Cowen, and he was, well, “joyful” and very likeable. I’m not sure of his age but given the ages of his daughters I suspect he was born in the early to mid 1990s.
Until I can make a decision I will continue to “attend” Shabbat services at Central Synagogue (NYC) via YouTube.
