One thing that traditionally has distinguished a Conservative prayer experience from a Reform prayer experience is the amount of Hebrew found in the service (though in some Reform congregations this has begun to change in recent years). The Conservative movement has largely held on to the value of Hebrew as lashon kodesh, our holy language- Continue Reading »
I often call Shavuot the “forgotten holiday.” Although it is one of the three pilgrimage festivals, and it commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, Shavuot often gets little notice in our community. School is winding down, summer is here, and Shavuot seems to be very far from our minds. But that Continue Reading »
I often call Shavuot the “forgotten holiday.” Although it is one of the three pilgrimage festivals, and it commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, Shavuot often gets little notice in our community. School is winding down, summer is here, and Shavuot seems to be very far from our minds. But that Continue Reading »
Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to pay tribute to our American military personnel, past and present, for all that they have given to our country. Unfortunately, we too often forget to take time on this day to remember its original purpose. We have BBQ’s, watch fireworks, go to the beach, or go Continue Reading »
If you have seen or heard the news over the last week, you have likely heard some of the analysis of President Obama’s speeches concerning the Middle East and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict as well as Prime Minister Netanyahu’s responses. What has amazed me most about some of the comments that I have read on facebook Continue Reading »
Do you want to engage in Jewish learning, but find that you have no time? Do you want to understand how Judaism can be meaningful and relevant to your daily life? Do you want to see what one of our movement’s Rabbinic School’s has to teach you? Do you want to learn from some of Continue Reading »
Tomorrow we will celebrate Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. This annual celebration commemorates the creation of the State of Israel, and gives us an opportunity to marvel at all of her accomplishments while at the same time considering our many concerns about Israel’s present and future. Here are a few articles that attempt to Continue Reading »
I know that the news of Bin Laden’s death is on all of our minds, and we will have the opportunity to discuss a Jewish response to this moment on Shabbat morning. But this morning, I want to commemorate that yesterday was Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was my privilege and honor to Continue Reading »
Hag Sameach! I hope that your Sedarim were wonderful and that you are all having a meaningful Passover experience! As the last two days of Yom Tov Pesach begin tonight, I wanted to send you another Sunday Morning Message. The final day of Passover is traditionally a time to come to the synagogue for Continue Reading »
In light of the fact that Passover starts Monday night, I thought that I would send you a Sunday morning message. Here are four things to keep in mind before your Seder begins. Don’t let your Seder experience be robotic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bgeX_8tBCY Remember to tell the story in creative ways http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIxToZmJwdI Next Year in Jerusalem http://www.masortiworld.org/4ways Continue Reading »