Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | March 28, 2025

This Shabbat, Shabbat HaChodesh (announcing the new month of Nisan), is one of the four specially designated Shabbatot before Passover. In other words, Passover is almost here! Six months ago, we were celebrating…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | March 21, 2025

This shabbat is a special one indeed! First we read the weekly portion of Vayakhel  (Exodus 35:1-38:20)and we begin the preparation for the festival of Passover which begins in three weeks by…

Rock Shabbat with Dan Nichols

By templenjAF | March 16, 2025

Join us on March 21, at 7:00 PM, for an electrifying evening of Rock Shabbat, featuring Dan Nichols.  Dan is a product of the URJ Jewish camping movement. He has…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | March 14, 2025

As someone who enjoys exploring the connections between the Jewish holidays and weekly Torah readings, I’ve always found it interesting that Purim falls so close to the Torah portion of Ki…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | March 7, 2025

This week’s portion, Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10), marks the first time we encounter the idea of a hereditary elite within the Jewish people – Aaron and his male descendants – and their role…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | February 28, 2025

In a quiet village, Miriam, an elderly woman with a kind heart, sat by a fire. One evening, Rachel, a young girl overwhelmed by pain, approached her. Tears filled Rachel’s…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | February 21, 2025

I will not be with you all on this Shabbat as I am in Washington, DC with our Confirmation class for their Religious Action Center’s L’Taken Weekend, a program that…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | February 14, 2025

For those who celebrate, Happy Valentine’s Day. This Shabbat coincides with Saint Valentine’s Day (Feast of St. Valentine). The customs connected to the celebration of this day have their origin in a pagan…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | February 7, 2025

In this Torah portion, Beshallach (Exodus 13:17-17:16), God tells Moses to have the Israelites set up camp at the Sea of Reeds, but then Pharaoh changes his mind about freeing the Israelites…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | January 31, 2025

Were you as shocked as I was to read recently that flip phones, aka dumb phones, are making a comeback? Social commentators suggest that it’s about a retro cool factor,…

Shabbat Greetings

By templenjAF | January 24, 2025

In the last two decades, a new ritual has emerged in the context of the Passover seder: pouring a cup of water for Miriam. This practice, while new, connects deeply…

Feb. 7 Kabbalat Shabbat Service and Israeli Dinner & Dancing

By templenjAF | January 18, 2025

Join us for a vibrant Kabbalat Shabbat service on February 7th, starting at 6:30 PM, followed by an unforgettable family night of Israeli-themed dinner and dance! Sponsored by the Adult…