The title of this week’s Torah portion is Vayigash, which means to “draw near” or to “approach.” In this parasha, we find one of the most emotional moments in the whole Torah. After years of distance and separation, Judah steps forward toward his brother, Joseph in a moment of vulnerability, not knowing what the outcome Continue Reading »
We made it- the High Holy Days are over! It was so amazing to see so much of the congregation over these past weeks, and I feel so grateful to each of you who showed up- praying, reflecting, singing, and repenting together in community over the course of the holidays. It feels like we’ve crossed Continue Reading »
This Shabbat is a special one in the year’s calendar. The Sabbath between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is called Shabbat Shuvah – the Sabbath of Return. We spend the entire ten days between the the High Holy days focused on improving ourselves and this Shabbat reinforces the themes of these days of repentance. The Continue Reading »
This past week, all of us were shocked by yet another assassination of a political leader: Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old conservative activist who galvanized millions of people and had a lasting effect on American politics. The loss of his life is tragic. In Parshat N’tzavim, which we read this Shabbat and also on Yom Kippur Continue Reading »
Shabbat Shalom. We are getting closer to the High Holy Day season and the Torah portion for this week is starting to prepare us to think about our lives. Parashat Ki Tavo includes a dramatic litany of blessings and curses that will come upon the Israelites depending on whether they follow God’s commandments. On the surface, Continue Reading »
