Since 2003 I have been the Senior Jewish Chaplain for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in their entire jail system. I am also the Jewish Chaplain at Corcoran State Prison, and serve as the Rabbi, part time, for K'hilat HaAloneem in Ojia, California. While in the jails and institutions I am primarily there for the Jewish inmates, I also have a considerable amount of interaction with non-Jewish inmates, most of whom are addicts. No matter what the crime, I found that the common beginning point was addiction.



I devote a considerable amount of time with my men post-incarceration. Helping them, encouraging them, to try and build a sober and healthy new life. It is gratifying that while there is a 78% recidivism rate for normal inmates. I have been blessed to see a high percentage of men with whom I work most intensively who have changed that statistic. With my men, there is a non scientific rate of 80% who do not return to jail.



Even though the system is troubled. I continue to be amazed at the courage and strength of so many of my men. The majority of who have come to me after being incarcerated numerous times before. These men have given and continue to give my life blessings that I never could have imagined. I hope that their stories can do he same for you.







Wednesday, November 2, 2011

The Phone Call

The phone rang in my chapel office at the prison. "Yaffa" was so relieved to get a chaplain. She wanted me to see her son "Noam" to let him know his grandfather had just died. It's very hard to get these kinds of messages to inmates in any timely manner. I took his location/information and talked to her a little more. Then I walked to to the yard her son is housed in. It's one of the tougher (higher security) yards. I was able to to get the Lt. To help and soon two officers were escorting him to the door of the chapel. This tough looking 25 yr old looked at me and said, "who are you? This can't be good news." we walked into the chapel, just the two if us, and sat side by side. Typically, he showed no emotion. I told himi had spoken to his mom and that his grandfather had just died. Noam. Stiffened up and said "it's cool man. No problem. I'm fine." I said "of course u r." and put my arm around his shoulder and gently pulled him toward my shoulder. He immediately crumbled and just sobbed and sobbed. He started apologizing. I told him to be quiet and stay put. He stayed on my shoulder for twenty minutes. We talked. I said that even though we hadn't met that this was the safest place in the whole prison. "there aren't too many chances to let go and just be held around here." Noam looked at me and said , "man, I've been here for six years and I never saw u before but this is the only time I've let anyone hold me or see me like this". I knew I couldn't use the word "need" so I wrote my name and hours and my office extension down. "listen, if u ever want to see me privately just have an officer call and I'll be here." he can't reach his mother easily because they can't call collect to a cell phone and moms only landline is at her friend down the street.. He asked if I'd call her.  He wanted me to call his mom to tell her to be at the landline the next morning when he would b allowed to call. We hugged goodbye and after waiting a few minutes while his eyes returned to "not red and puffy" I called the officers to pick him up. I went back to my yard and called his VERY surprised mother. I gave her the info. Told her he was ok but was worried about HER. I told her he was a very sweet young man. Now, SHE was sobbing. "how did I get so lucky to connect with u? This is the kindest anyone has been to either of us since he went in 6 yrs ago. " I told her I was the lucky one. And that I'll be checking in with him whenever I have a chance.  The officer in the room asked me if I knew her. I said no and she said "but u sounded like the family pastor." I told her that at this moment I am.  Then she said "u said he was a sweet kid? I know him. He ain't what I'd call sweet."  You know, officer, he never did anything to
Me. He was sweet. And I AM grateful that my phone was the one she reached.   I haven't been able to get Noam off my mind yet. Thanks to any of u who read this long note. I just wanted to share.
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