Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel taught: It takes three things to attain a sense of significance: God, A Soul, And a Moment. These three thigns are always here. Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy. It is with this text in mind that I read the following inspiring article form Continue Reading »
Most of you who are reading this are members, or associated with, the “Conservative” movement, by virtue of your connection with our Torat El community. But in an age where the younger generation is eschewing the notion of belonging to “organizational” Judaism in general, at a time when the 20th century denominational structures in general Continue Reading »
In less than one week, we will gather together for Rosh Hashanah as we begin the new year of 5777 together. We look forward to celebrating with you. Any questions about tickets, times, or the calendar of events, please call us at 732-531-4410. Below are a few last resources to help you become spiritually and Continue Reading »
Another Elul challenge as we begin to spiritually prepare for these upcoming Days of Awe- written by Karyn Kedar. Warning- this is a bit heavy, so read this when you have a few quiet minutes to reflect during the day. Life is fundamentally unfair and often tragic…. At my brother’s funeral, I looked around at Continue Reading »
**We would love to see you at our Back to Shul, Back to school BBQ tomorrow from 5-7 at the synagogue. Join us for the first weekday of Religious School, Hebrew High, and an Adult Education course about the upcoming Holidays! Check out all details here. _________________________________________ Last week, I shared a personal video with Continue Reading »
By this time next week I will be in Israel. As always, I am greatly looking forward to spending some time in our national homeland and experiencing the history, sights, smells tastes, and even the politics of Israel these days. But there is one site that I am fairly ambivalent about visiting- the kotel (western Continue Reading »
I hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer and managing to stay cool! As many of you know, for the past month I have been away at Camp Ramah in the Poconos where, for the fourth summer in a row, I had the privilege of serving as one of the Rabbis in Residence on Continue Reading »
Last night, as I emerged from a three day celebration of Shabbat and Shavuot, I entered back into the day to day world only to discover the horrific events that unfolded in Orlando just days ago. Once again, nearly one year after the Charleston church shooting- terror, bigotry, and gun violence took center stage as Continue Reading »
Today is Yom Hashoah- Holocaust Memorial Day. It is a day for reflection and remembrance. It is a day to listen to testimonials from survivors- either in person, through literature, or through online testimonials such as those found on Yad VaShem’s website. It is a day to be grateful for the many blessings in Continue Reading »
We’re one week away! In my house we are moving into “all Passover, all of the time” mode! We are eating the food in the pantry and finishing the leftovers in the freezer, cleaning the house from top to bottom, listening to Passover songs with the kids in the car over and over again, and Continue Reading »