Keeping our Spirits Up Shabbat Parashat VaYishlach December 2, 2017- 14 Kislev 5778 Dear Friends, Three wonderful Chasidic teachings, based on this week’s Torah portion of VaYishlach, shed light on the secret of Jewish survival throughout the ages. The Torah tell us that Jacob sent messengers (or angels) ahead of him Continue Reading »
Happy Thanksgiving Shabbat Parashat VaYetze November 23, 2017- 5 Kislev 5778 Dear Friends, I take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving! I’ve always loved Thanksgiving, as a special time with family and friends, without the stress associated with choosing gifts; without a specific time schedule; and without the Continue Reading »
Jewish Resources for Addressing Addiction Shabbat Parashat Toledot Shabbat Machar Chodesh – Mevarekhim HaChodesh November 18, 2017- 29 Cheshvan 5778 Dear Friends, One of the most moving experiences I had as a rabbinical student, many years ago, was a weekend spent at a retreat sponsored by a New York based organization knows as JACS (Jewish Continue Reading »
Devotion. Dedication. Delight. Erev Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah/Bereishit October 11, 2017- 22 Tishrei 5778 Dear Friends, This coming Sunday, October 15th, I will be flying to Israel for a few weeks to see family and friends. As you may recall, my summer vacation was postponed this year until right after the Continue Reading »
Sukkot: Especially Now – Joy and Resolve! Erev Sukkot October 4, 2017- 14 Tishrei 5778 Dear Friends, The unique thing about Sukkot is that the Torah asks us to be joyous for all seven days of Sukkot – non-stop! That is a difficult task in ordinary times. But, this week, following the horrific shooting in Continue Reading »
As Yom Kippur Approaches… Shabbat Yom Kippur September 30, 2017- 10 Tishrei 5778 Dear Friends, We do our best. But, we don’t always get it right. Okay…I’m speaking for myself. If I didn’t get it right, I hope that you will forgive me. Yom Kippur is a time to re-align our souls. Let’s do our Continue Reading »
HaYom [Today]! Shabbat Parashat Nitsavim-VaYelekh September 16, 2017- 25 Elul 5777 Dear Friends, This is my opportunity to wish all of us a Shana Tova U’metukah – a sweet New Year, filled with blessing and with joy! This coming week, we will celebrate Rosh HaShana! L’Shana Tova tikatevu – Continue Reading »
Harvey and the Mitzvah of Response Shabbat Parashat Ki Tetze September 2, 2017- 11 Elul 5777 Dear Friends, The Jewish month of Elul is in full swing. The High Holy Days are approaching. And, with the passage of these precious days of Elul, we do our best to prepare for the Continue Reading »
Trees and Us Shabbat Parashat Shoftim August 26, 2017- 4 Elul 5777 Dear Friends, Yesterday, I sat in on an interior design committee meeting where we discussed the nature of various types of wood and how they might help us make our new Sanctuary beautiful, functional, and inspiring. Often, we Continue Reading »
Unity and Diversity Shabbat Parashat Re’eh Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh August 19, 2017- 27 Av 5777 Dear Friends, How can we respond to the horrific events in Charlottesville? Watching the videos of hundereds of neo-Nazis, KKK, white supremecists, and other hate groups walking through UVA carrying torches and chanting anti-semitic slogans was difficult enough. Reading the Continue Reading »
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