Purim is almost here! Here are a few creative renditions of the Puirm story to get you ready for the holiday. The Maccabeats Raise Your Glass Sesame Street explains Purim Purim as a Western Plus: An interesting bit of Purim history Thank you to all of our volunteers who helped make yesterday’s Purim carnival such Continue Reading »
This past weekend marked a major milestone in the American Jewish community- the 100th anniversary of the founding of Hadassah. We are blessed to have such an active Hadassah presence in our community. Hadassah’s contribution to America, Israel and communities around the globe is inspirational and impressive. Founded in 1912 by the courageous, scholarly, and Continue Reading »
This past week marked the official launch of Magen Tzedek, the world’s first ethical certification for kosher food products. Initiated by the Rabbinical Assembly and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (with seed funding provided by the Nathan Cummings Foundation), this certification has received support and endorsement from a wide variety of organizations across the Continue Reading »
They say that you can find anything “online.” That’s why it was not surprising when I recently discovered an online resource dedicated to helping people work through the “shiva” process called “ShivaConnect.com.” According to its website: ShivaConnect.com is a complimentary service for mourners and those wishing to express their condolences, providing instant communication to people Continue Reading »
Part of being an active Jew is characterized by our willingness, or lack thereof, to engage in the struggle to bring God’s presence into our lives. I know that this is not something that people always like to hear. Often people are looking to “instantly connect” to God as fast as they connect to friends Continue Reading »
If someone asked you: “What does it mean to be a Jew” What would you say? Here’s one insightful response by a young man named Andrew Lustig that has been shared widely across the internet over the past few weeks. Now, ask yourself-How would I respond? Have a great week! Continue Reading »
This past Shabbat was the CTE annual USY Shabbat, marked by a very nice Shabbat service led by some of our community’s teens. It was a small but inspiring gathering that, once again, affirmed all that I have come to know about USY since my involvement with this tremendous program began more than twenty years Continue Reading »
In honor of this day commemorating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I offer the following reading material as an opportunity for each of us to remind ourselves that today is more than simply “a day off from work.” The following are resources from the website of the Rabbinical Assembly that Continue Reading »
Happy New Year! A month ago I led a Lunch & Learn with one of our local Hadassah chapters focused on the challenges surrounding issues of pluralism in Israel that included a conversation about the monopoly that the Chief Rabbinate and the Ultra-Orthodox political parties have on issues of Jewish identity in Israel. The following Continue Reading »
It was wonderful to see so many members of our community at Friday night’s Hanukkat Habayit, dedication of Congregation Torat El. And how appropriate that we dedicated our home during this season of “dedication” with Hanukkah just around the corner! We hope you enjoyed our Hanukkah party on Sunday morning, and we wish all of Continue Reading »