Yossi Grossbaum

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Nov 20, 2017, 9:42 PM

The Demographics Don’t Add Up

Demography is a tough nut; it doesn't lie and when it doesn't lean in your favor, there is little to be done. That's why you won't find any “official” Jewish organizations in smaller Jewish communities like ours. Ask a...

Nov 6, 2016, 9:15 AM

Politics is not a dinner table topic in good times, but it seems more true this year than ever before. But even if we vehemently and passionately disagree with a person, there is no need to become disagreeable. We...

Jul 11, 2016, 6:49 AM

Why does anyone’s life really matter?

#blacklivesmatter, #bluelivesmatter, the real question is -- why does anyone’s life really matter? It is heart wrenching and sickening to see the images of innocent people killed. No matter who they are. Innocent people should not be killed. Is it...

Jun 26, 2016, 5:43 PM

Start worrying?

“Start worrying, letter to follow,” reads the Jewish telegram, goes a classic stereotypical joke. The misfortune and hardship Jews have survived throughout the ages would seem to legitimize the gloomy outlook. And it’s not just a Jewish problem. We’re regularly bombarded...

May 30, 2016, 6:52 AM

A Chewbacca mask and the purpose of being

You don’t have to admit it publicly, but by now it’s likely that you’re one of the 150 MILLION (!!??) people who watched a particularly pointless video sometime this past week. The video shows a woman, called Candace Payne,...

Apr 22, 2016, 5:59 AM

This Passover, make it real!

At this time of year I'm reminded of the fable about the pauper who once had the opportunity to taste a high end dish: A delicious cheese blintz (not a very Passover-like food, but hear me out anyway). He was...

Apr 11, 2016, 10:00 PM

It’s time to engage in disruptive behavior!

The railroad, personal computers and Uber. And Passover. They all have one thing in common. Transportation used to mean a horse and buggy or long treks on foot; along came the railroad and changed travel forever. Original computers were huge mainframes that...

Aug 18, 2015, 12:19 AM

Bungee Trampolines and the Month of Elul

My friend Rabbi Shmuly Schlanger the Chabad Rabbi in Bakersfield, CA (and you thought Folsom was an interesting place for a Chabad rabbi!), together with some of his children, was visiting Lake Tahoe for a day last week. Our...

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About Me

Rabbi Yossi Grossbaum is the co-founder and Executive Director (and chief cook and bottle washer) of the Chabad Jewish Community Center located in Folsom, California and serving the entire region. He relishes the opportunity to discuss religion and politics with anyone who is interested and he is passionate about sharing age old Jewish wisdom with anyone who will listen. One day he will write a book entitled "Never Fall in Love."