Shabbat Parashat VaYigash Joseph, Judah and Justice December 23, 2017- 5 Tevet 5778 Dear Friends, Our Torah reading continues the Joseph story. Only, Joseph is not the only character in the story. Judah plays a leading role in this week’s Torah portion. Judah, not yet knowing that Joseph is his long lost brother, approaches Joseph Continue Reading »
Happy Chanukah! Shabbat Parashat Mikkets Chanukah – Day 4! Shabbat Mevarekhim HaChodesh December 16, 2017- 28 Kislev 5778 Dear Friends, Chanukah is about miracles, big and small, communal and personal. It is about noticing God’s presence in the world – not only as Creator in the distant past, but Continue Reading »
Miracles and Moments Shabbat Parashat VaYeshev December 9, 2017- 21 Kislev 5778 Dear Friends, We are about to celebrate Chanukah (beginning Tuesday night)…and miracles. Whether it is the miracle of the victory of the Maccabees (the victory of the few over the many) who fought for religious freedom; Continue Reading »
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 »
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