It seems every day I turn on the news, I hear about more change. We are in unchartered territory in our American life where what many of us thought were the norms for many years have changed. Our country is very divided with those who are happy with the changes and those who are not. Continue Reading »
In this week’s Torah portion, we encounter a difficult moment in the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. The following scene unfolds between Korach and his followers (a group of 250 individuals,) and the leaders of the Israelites- Moses and Aaron in Numbers Chapter 16, verse 3: They (Korach and his 250 followers) combined against Moses Continue Reading »
All of us are well aware that we, along with the greater American Jewish community, are living in very disconcerting times. We are not only feeling incredibly vulnerable after repeated events of antisemitism, we know that we are vulnerable as we are living in a moment when violence towards us and many others is not Continue Reading »
Last week we celebrated with a gifted and passionate group of TRS teens as they completed their confirmation year. The strength of their connection to our community is a great example for us to remember as we speed towards summer and begin to head in different directions. In the Torah portion of the week, B’haalot’cha, Continue Reading »
Growing up attending the Episcopal school where my mother taught, I heard the same benediction in my school’s chapel every week from Kindergarten through senior year: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make HIS face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord lift up HIS Continue Reading »
If I asked you to name the three most important holidays in Judaism after the High Holy Days, you might list Passover, Sukkot, and Chanukah. You would be two for three! Chanukah is a minor festival and not even in the Torah. This weekend (Sunday evening) we celebrate one of the major festivals in the Continue Reading »
Parshat Emor contains, among other things, instructions specific to the priests. One of the lasting images in this portion is of several lamps that sat inside the Tabernacle, just outside the Holy of Holies where only the High Priests could go. Today, these lamps are symbolized by a single lamp above the ark in every Continue Reading »
This week is one of the few where we read two Torah portions over one Shabbat. In years that are not leap years, we double up on a number of Parshiot. Our next leap year will be in 5787 (2 years away) when each Shabbat will have a single Torah portion. Although there is a Continue Reading »
Dear Friends, It’s been a rollercoaster ride for most of our members who work in the federal government or are contractors. These last 100+ days have been trying, to say the least. Many of you are in turmoil, many have lost your positions or contracts, and many are going to work every day still unsure Continue Reading »
Parshat Sh’mini signifies very beginning of Jewish practice. The Tabernacle is finished and ready for its first ceremony. As part of their ordination, the priests have been confined to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting for seven days. On yom hash’mini, the eighth day, they finally offer their first sacrifice. Then, they and the Continue Reading »
