rabbi | Congregation Torat El - Part 8

Archive: August 2012

Monday Morning Message – August 13, 2012

Posted on August 13, 2012

This past week I read a wonderful and very important article that addressed the challenges facing synagogues and other Jewish institutions in America today. Noting the fact that younger generations are less inclined to join institutions than their parents and grandparents were, Dr. Steven Windmuller begins his article in by asking the following: Why are Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – August 6, 2012

Posted on August 6, 2012

Last week, Rabbi David-Seth Kirshner, a friend and colleague, published a very painful personal reflection in response to the recent Penn State sex abuse scandal and the unprecedented ruling by the NCAA punishing the university and its football program for its role in covering up these atrocities. Judaism condemns standing idly by while someone else Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – July 30, 2012

Posted on July 30, 2012

It happens from time to time that I find myself talking with someone who is not connected to any particular synagogue, but is interested in joining a synagogue community. My advice to them is always the same: It is important to take some time to “shul shop” and see what feels like a natural fit. Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – July 23, 2012

Posted on July 23, 2012

The Torah teaches us that Jewish teachings, traditions, and values should always be on our minds- when we are at home, when we are going on our way, when we go to sleep at night and when we rise up in the morning (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). There’s an app for everything these days- and Jewish learning Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – July 16, 2012

Posted on July 16, 2012

A Reminder. Don’t forget that this Friday night (July 20) is “Shabbat at the Beach!” We will be having services at Conover Pavilion, Phillips Avenue at 6:30PM. Come join us for this special service-praying alongside the beautiful ocean is a gift of living in this area, don’t miss out on this opportunity. And please be Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – July 9, 2012

Posted on July 9, 2012

We’re back from a wonderful Israel experience! Our first Congregation Torat El Israel trip was a great success. Each of us came back more politically, spiritually, and culturally aware of all that Israel means to us as individuals, and as part of am yisrael– the People of Israel. I am sure that I speak for Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – June 25, 2012

Posted on June 25, 2012

In just two days a group of us will be traveling together on the first Congregation Torat El journey to Israel! With that in mind, I have two things that I would like to share with you today.   Missing A Mezuzah??  Do You Want One??    1. Taken from the verses in the V’ahavatah Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – June 11, 2012

Posted on June 11, 2012

Tefilin-I cannot start my day without them. Thanks to my summers at Camp Ramah, I have been starting my day with tefilin for over twenty years, and they help me to invite God into my life each and every day. For those who are unfamiliar, tefilin are the small boxes containing verses from the Torah Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – June 4, 2012

Posted on June 4, 2012

Last week I read a number of interesting articles about a variety of things happening in the Conservative Movement that I wanted to share with all of you. While each article is describing something different, I think that they all describe events that are overall positive for our movement. 1. These first two articles are Continue Reading »

Monday Morning Message – May 25, 2012

Posted on May 25, 2012

Shalom everyone! As next Monday is Shavuot, here is a Friday Morning Message! We hope you will join us for Shavuot services throughout the weekend and our Shavuot Community Night of Study (and Cheescake) !   Click here for more information as we explore some of the ways in which we can access the joy, meaning, Continue Reading »