Tidbits of Torah

Shabbat Parashat Ki Tetse – To Ignore Or Not To Ignore…

Posted on September 13, 2019

Dear Friends, To ignore…or not to ignore.  That is the question! As the month of Elul progresses, and in preparation for the High Holy Days, we are called upon to reflect on our lives. One of the dilemmas of life these days is how to sift through all the information we receive throughout the day.  Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Shoftim – Gratitude and Love

Posted on September 6, 2019

Dear Friends, It is with a sense of tremendous gratitude to all the volunteers who kept our services running throughout my vacation, that I return to Rodef Sholom Temple.  Thanks to all those who led services, to those who delivered divrei Torah, and to those who kept our congregation going over the summer. I thoroughly Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Balak – Visions of Victory

Posted on July 19, 2019

Dear Friends, This Shabbat is the 17th day of the Jewish month of Tammuz.  On this date, in 70 C.E., the Roman army breached the walls of Jerusalem.  Three weeks later, on the 9th of the Jewish month of Av, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple. In our modern Jewish calendar, the 17th of Tammuz Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Chukkat — Favorite Mysteries

Posted on July 12, 2019

Dear Friends, As you may recall, I mentioned last High Holy Days that I am an avid reader of Louise Penny mysteries which are written on the backdrop of Quebec landscapes. Since then, I have been enjoying Donna Leon’s books featuring Commissario Guido Brunetti and his Venetian escapades. And, most recently I have begun reading Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Korach Independence

Posted on July 5, 2019

Dear Friends, I hope you are enjoying our Independence Day Weekend! I was grateful that we had a lovely morning minyan on Thursday, July 4th, and that we could be with Stephanie and Jack Gelman who were concluding the Shiva for Stephanie’s mom, Edith Spritzer, of blessed memory. After the morning minyan service, and before Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat Naso – Father’s Day

Posted on June 14, 2019

Dear Friends, This past week we have all seen heightened advertisements enticing us to buy gifts for Father’s Day….Mostly the ads say: Do you have your gift ready? Interestingly, our Torah portion of Naso includes the gifts brought to the Tabernacle by each of the Nesi’im [the chiefs] of the 12 tribes of Israel.  Each Continue Reading »

Shabbat Parashat BaMidbar and Shavuot – Open Our Hearts to Your Torah

Posted on June 7, 2019

         Shabbat Parashat BaMidbar and Shavuot (Saturday night, Sunday and Monday)  Open Our Hearts to Your Torah    June 8, 2019 – 5 Sivan 5779   Dear Friends, This Shabbat will be followed immediately by the two days of Shavuot – the holiday which celebrates the giving of the Torah!  For the traditional lighting Continue Reading »

Parashat B’har – Mountains and Memories

Posted on May 24, 2019

Dear Friends, How many mountains have we climbed?  How many memories have we acquired?  Our Torah portion begins by mentioning Mount Sinai.  Even if we have not personally climbed that particular mountain, we retain a communal memory of that amazing mountain where God appeared and spoke with all of us.  Midrash tells us that each Continue Reading »

Parashat Emor – Mentoring Moments

Posted on May 17, 2019

Dear Friends, I hope that you will join us this Friday night and on Shabbat morning for services as we welcome Cantor Ruth Ross, our High Holiday Cantor, to Rodef Sholom Temple. I also hope that you will be here this Shabbat morning as Dr. Kim Gipson’s Religious school class will process with their hand-made Continue Reading »

Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted on May 10, 2019

Parashat Kedoshim Dear Friends, As Mother’s Day approaches, we automatically wish one another Happy Mother’s Day.  It is truly a blessing to be able to feel good about Mother’s Day.  Nevertheless, for various reasons, some of us feel sad on Mother’s Day and it is helpful for us, as individuals and as a community, to Continue Reading »