Good morning! Two announcements before today’s message: 1. Please remember to join us for our annual MLK interfaith celebration– tomorrow night, Wed. January 15th at 7:30PM in the sanctuary. 2. Interested in going to Israel? The Jewish Federation of Monmouth County is sponsoring a Mega Mission to Israel in October 2014. With great pricing and Continue Reading »
MAKING CHOICES/ LIVING OUR PRIORITIES Over the past few days, sports has been on my mind- and not just because of the NFL Division Playoffs. Yesterday I read an article about Aaron Lieberman, an Orthodox college basketball player at Northwestern who became the first player to wear a kipa in Big Ten Conference history. Continue Reading »
This is going to be a difficult message, but an important one. This past week, I have been virtually following the story of Sam Sommer, an 8-year-old boy who died of Leukemia this past Shabbat. A loss of a child is an unspeakable thing. And yet, somehow, Sam’s parents, Rabbis Phyllis and Michael Sommer have Continue Reading »
This past week the world lost a great leader and peacemaker with the death of Nelson Mandela. Below are a few articles that circulated in the Jewish community reflecting upon this loss. As Jews, we are obligated to work tirelessly to bring more peace, justice and equality into our world. As you read these articles Continue Reading »
ON THE FUTURE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM Join The Conversation Shalom and Happy Hanukkah! Over the past few weeks, there have been numerous articles in the Jewish press about the future of the Conservative Movement. Some say we are dying out as a movement. Others say that while we have some challenges, our future Continue Reading »
Before this morning’s message, I wanted to give a belated thank you to the Sisterhood for running a fantastic rummage sale last week! Also, a huge thank you to our Men’s club, Religious School, and Sisterhood for putting together a fantastic Hanukkah party this past Sunday. With nearly 300 people in attendance from our Torat Continue Reading »
Thanksivukkah is coming! Over the past few months there have been numerous articles and essays about this unique collision of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. For those who don’t know what I am talking about- this year, for this first, and possibly last time, the first day of Hanukkah will overlap with the fourth Thursday in November. Continue Reading »
Our hearts and prayer go out to all of those who are suffering due to the immense destruction and loss of life caused by Typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines earlier this week. Jewish tradition teaches that we have a responsibility to help those in need during times of trouble and distress. If you have Continue Reading »
As the recent Pew survey of the American Jewish community showed, the Jewish community in America has plenty to be concerned about. But while much ink has been spilt worrying about the current status and making prognostications for the future of American Jewry, this morning I wanted to share with you some good news, focusing Continue Reading »
It has been one year to the day since Super Storm Sandy devastated our region. Like many of you, I remember that day very clearly. I remember the sense of feeling disconnected from the outside world and the devastation in our immediate neighborhood as we awoke to downed trees, telephone polls, and wires everywhere. I Continue Reading »