Shabbat Greetings
This Shabbat is different from other Shabbatot. We stand at the threshold of a new year, just before Selichot, just before Rosh Hashanah. In additiion, this year, there is another…
Shabbat Greetings
This week’s Torah portion, Ki Tavo (Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8), is often remembered for its dramatic blessings and curses, but it begins in a much quieter place: gratitude. “When you enter the land… you…
URJ Biennial (December 10-13)
The URJ Biennial will bring together Reform Jewish clergy, professionals, lay leaders, and community members from across North America for music, learning, inspiration, prayer, and connection. This joyful movement-wide gathering…
Shabbat Greetings
This week’s portion, Ki Tetzei (Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19) contains more mitzvot (commandments) than any other portion. While the laws seem unrelated, they share a common message: holilness is found in the ordinary. The Torah teaches that…
Shabbat Greetings
Tonight marks exactly four weeks until we gather to welcome the new year, 5787. Elul began yesterday and the horizon of the New Year is coming into view. We read Shoftim (Deuteronomy…
Shabbat Greetings
This week’s Torah portion, Re’eh (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17)begins with a powerful invitation: “See (Re’eh), I place before you today a blessing and a curse.” (11:26) The Torah does not say, “Listen,” or “Understand.” It says, “See.” Seeing…
High Holy Days Services 5787
All High Holy Days services will be both in-person and streamed live. Tickets for services must be ordered ahead of time. They can be ordered as follows:– Temple Shalom members…
Shabbat Greetings
There is a quiet irony in the Jewish calendar. Just a little more than a week after we mourn the destruction of the Temples on Tisha B’Av, we begin reading Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25),…
Shabbat Greetings
Having just emerged from Tisha B’Av (the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av), we carry with us the memory of destruction; not only the destruction of the Holy Temple, but…
Shabbat Greetings
This Shabbat has a name. It is called Shabbat Chazon – the “Sabbath of Vision,” named for the opening words of Isaiah’s haunting vision (Isaiah 1:1-27): “Chazon Yeshayahu…” We read these words on the…
Shabbat Greetings
In our double-portion concluding the Book of Numbers, Matot-Masei (Numbers 30:2-36:13), the Torah does something unexpected. It lists every place the Israelites camped during their forty years in the wilderness. Forty-two stops.…
Shabbat Greetings
We read Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-30:1), a Torah portion that looks toward the future of the Jewish people. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence, giving thanks for…