15 Iyar 5780

By templenj | May 8, 2020

May 8, 2020 Here we are, finishing up the eighth week of our self-quarantine to protect both ourselves and so many around us. I know it has been challenging for…

8 Iyar 5780

By templenj | May 1, 2020

May 1, 2020 Once again, this week’s Torah reading, Acharei Mot/Kedoshim (Leviticus 16:1-20:27) is a double portion. In the second part, Kedoshim, we learn of two very powerful commands: “Love your neighbor as…

1 Iyar 5780

By templenj | April 24, 2020

April 24, 2020 This week’s double portion, Tazria-Metzora (Leviticus 12:1-15:33), first speaks of the effect of childbirth as a state of ritual impurity and then moves into the medical issue of tzara’at, a…

24 Nisan 5780

By templenj | April 17, 2020

April 17, 2020 We read in this week.s portion, Parshat Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47), “Then Moses said to Aaron, This is what Adonai meant when God said, Through those near to…

17 Nisan 5780

By templenj | April 10, 2020

April 10, 2020 On the Shabbat during Passover, we read the special portion from Exodus 33:12-34:26, and we are reminded of the age-old desire to know God. Moses implores God…

10 Nisan 5780

By templenj | April 3, 2020

April 3, 2020 This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Tzav (Leviticus 6:1-8:36), teaches us that the priests are charged with performing all the sacrificial duties in the Tabernacle. Only they have full access…

3 Nisan 5780

By templenj | March 27, 2020

March 27, 2020 Today’s world finds the notion of sacrifices primitive, archaic and a form of Divine service that is no longer necessary. Yet to the ancient, biblical world, nothing…

25 Adar 5780

By templenj | March 26, 2020

March 20, 2020 This is a trying time for all of us, throughout the entire community, and this week’s double Torah portion, Vayakhel-Pekudei (Exodus 35:1-40:38) has a message for us, and that…

Our UPDATED Response to the Coronavirus and Covid-19

By templenj | March 13, 2020

Friday, March 13, 2020 – 17 Adar 5780We want to give you an update about COVID-19 and its impact on our congregation and community. As we have just heard from…

18 Adar 5780

By templenj | March 13, 2020

March 13, 2020 As I help prepare couples for their wedding ceremony, I explain to them that the broken glass at the end of the ceremony represents their status before…

11 Adar 5780

By templenj | March 6, 2020

March 6, 2020 This Shabbat, we read from Tetzaveh (Exodus 27:20-30:10), which teaches us about the special clothing for the priesthood. In addition, this is also Shabbat Zachor (Sabbath of…

4 Adar 5780

By templenj | February 28, 2020

February 28, 2020 From the spiritual to the ordinary, from the metaphysical to the concrete, this week’s Torah reading, Terumah (Exodus 25:1-27:19), takes us from the extraordinary event at Mt.…