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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Parashat Acharey Mot The “Light” Response to Antisemitism Shabbat Machar Chodesh Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh May 4, 2019 – 29 Nisan 5779 Dear Friends, The name of our weekly Parsha, Acharey Mot literally means: “After the death of….” How did Aaron, the Kohen HaGadol [the High Priest] respond after the sudden, shocking, unsettling death of two Continue Reading »
Dear Friends, I share with you my free translation of the contents of my son’s recent text message which contained an excerpt of the testimony of Ben Gurion in 1946. It is great food for thought and for discussion for Passover…. In 1946 Ben Gurion testified (as head of the Jewish Agency) before a Continue Reading »
Dear Friends, What inspiration can reading Parashat Metsora impart to us…especially as we prepare for Passover and for the Passover Seder? Parashat Metsora reminds us that we must care for the vulnerable members of our communities. The Metsora [person afflicted with something akin to Leprosy] is literally sent “outside” of the camp. But, the kohen Continue Reading »
Dear Friends, I hope you will join us at services this Friday night and Shabbat morning as we have the opportunity to meet a High Holiday Cantor candidate! Cantor Luke Hawley will join us for services and looks forward to meeting as many of us as possible! Looking for ideas to spruce up your Seder? Continue Reading »
Parashat Tav Remember, Renew, Refresh! March 23, 2019 – 16 Adar II 5779 Dear Friends, The eternal light in the synagogue represents the sparkle of the human soul and the holiness of the spirit of life. It flickers and it inspires. But, we need to remember to keep it glowing. We Continue Reading »
Parashat Pekuday Who Gets the Credit? March 9, 2019 – 2 Adar II 5779 Dear Friends, We are used to giving people credit when they do the work. And, that is only fair. But, even when we do the work, doesn’t God get any credit for inspiring us? For giving Continue Reading »
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