The Rosh HaShanah Torah Readings Should Stimulate Teshuvah
The Isaac-Ishmael-Hagar story is in chapter 21 and the Akeda is in chapter 22. Rosh Hashanah offers the opportunity to study them together.
News
Live from the Bimah: Behind the Scenes
This Rosh Hashanah we decided to go live from the Bimah. For the first time we could immerse the congregation in the High Holiday atmosphere with streaming services directly from our Sanctuary.
When Your Rabbi is a Catholic Tenor: Lessons of Teshuva Through Music
As often as politely possible, I hide from this piece. I find as many excuses as I can to say “no thanks” to the Rabbi’s kind and humbling yearly request to sing it – not enough prep time, too much else going on, someone else can do it better (this last one is always true), etc. This year, however, I said yes.
Hillel’s Rules and COVID-19
These are the true golden rules from Hillel. When I studied them in high school, they seemed to apply to almost anything. As I grew older less so. However, it is now in this time of a pandemic that I find them most useful.
A Lullaby for the High Holidays
This High holiday season may be hard, but we will not be alone.
The Heritage of the Sword
Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz News, Sermon Shoftim
He gripped his little brother’s hand, his stomach churning with fear and embarrassment, his fingers slick with his own sweat. He didn’t dare look at him; the lids of his eyes weighed down by shame and grief, for he knew what was yet to come.
Storm-tossed
Rabbi Esther Hugenholtz News, Sermon Re'eh
The stars in the sky shone brightly and clearly and I could point out Orion and the Big Dipper to my children on our evening walk. The neighborhood was cast in darkness and we picked our way past downed trees and broken branches by the light of the stars and our flashlights.
Coping with Coronavirus in a Multi-Generational Household
Note: jLab is for blog posts about creative, fun, or interesting Jewish or congregation-related topics. To submit a post, you must be a member of our congregation, and the topic must be Jew-ish, related to our congregation or the wider Jewish community. If you have something to share, please submit it here. Of Task Force […]
New Friday Evening Shabbat Service Time
We have decided to begin Friday evening Shabbat services a bit earlier, with a schmooze beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the service beginning at 7:00.
