Before I share this morning’s message, I wanted to take a moment to once again thank all of our volunteers and office staff who made our Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur experience so meaningful. From chair and book set up and take down, to handling all of the ritual honors, to handling our youth program, Continue Reading »
A few kavanot, spiritual suggestions, as you prepare for Yom Kippur. I wish all of you a meaningful day and, to those who are fasting, an easy fast. Click here to see a beautiful video produced by our Masorti movement offering a special Yom Kippur prayer. For those who are interested, the words and translation Continue Reading »
Friends, I am looking forward to seeing many of you over the next few days and weeks as we begin a new year together. It is truly a privilege and a blessing to serve as your rabbi and I am so thankful each and every day for the sacred work that I am honored to Continue Reading »
We are just ten days away from Rosh Hashanah and the start of a New Year. Please remember to join us this coming Saturday night at 8pm for our Selichot program. We will be watching the comedy Defending your Life (Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep) and discussing its relevance to the themes of these upcoming Continue Reading »
Just over two weeks and counting until Rosh Hashanah. Are you ready?!
Our hearts and prayers are with the people of Houston, and the greater area affected by Hurricane Harvey over these past few days. With the memory of Super Storm Sandy in the not too distant past, we on the Jersey shore understand the devastation that can be caused by storms such as this. Our sages Continue Reading »
** A Day Early- We have a congregant who will, God willing, soon be 106 years old! I remember visiting her one day and talking about the Holocaust and her early years in Germany. She couldn’t understand how it is that such hatred has existed. And she couldn’t understand how it continues to exist. I Continue Reading »
As many of you know, I recently returned from a month at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. As always, I had an incredible time at camp. From the sounds of Hebrew and Israeli music around every corner, to the site of children running free and playing ultimate Frisbee, softball, tennis, soccer, basketball, (and even, tether Continue Reading »
Today we mark the commemoration of Tisha B’av, the Ninth of Av, in which we commemorate the destruction of both Temples, as well as a number of historical tragedies that have occurred on, or around, this day in history. It is traditionally a day of mourning, fasting and reflecting. While the destruction of the Temple Continue Reading »
Arguing For The Sake Of Heaven A story is told about a new rabbi who comes to a well-established congregation. Every week on Shabbat, a fight erupts during the service. When it comes time to recite the Shema prayer, half of the congregation stands and the other half sits. The half who stand say, Continue Reading »