Rabbi Shabbat Greetings

Wednesday saw the beginning of the new year, 2025. As we do during the High Holy days, people one again discuss their New Year’s resolutions. I don’t know about you, but…

Read More

We currently live in a world that is plagued by fear. Current events both nationally and internationally have us watching and reading about brutally violent occurrences, and the Antisemitism that…

Read More

At the end of this week’s portion, Vayeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23), Joseph is in jail and life looks hopeless. Yet we know that he will be released and become the second most powerful…

Read More

We see in this week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach (Genesis 32:4-36:43), Jacob’s wrestling match with the angel defined him. He would forever after be known as Yisrael (Israel) – the one “who wrestled with God”. His…

Read More

Have you ever noticed that when we have someone at services that I and others ask them where they came from? It sounds like the exact opposite of what those…

Read More

Sibling rivalry, parental favoritism, trickery, a stolen blessing and a death threat make for a pretty dysfunctional family — or a Biblical reality TV show. It’s also the synopsis of Toldot (Genesis 25:19-28:9), this…

Read More

Many of you are aware that I am currently enrolled at Mercer County Community College working towards my license as a Funeral Director. So far, it has been a rewarding…

Read More

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayera (Genesis 18:1-22:24), we learn of all the continuing trials and tribulations that Abraham and Sarah had to cope with in their lives. This week’s portion is…

Read More

This is my 26th year serving as the rabbi of our Temple Shalom of Aberdeen family. It has been both an honor and privilege to serve as your spiritual leader. I…

Read More

Violence, flood, destruction. These are key moments and key themes of our portion this week, Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32). Not the sweet animal version we teach kids, that resulted in many children having…

Read More