Our Rabbis, of blessed memory, said that certain verses in the Torah call out to us: “darsheini!” Interpret me! notice me! learn and teach me! This week as we return to b’reishit, to the beginning of the Torah, we encounter so many profound words, stories and values that demand our attention. But this year, as Continue Reading »
A Message for Shabbat & Simchat Torah In 1999 I was invited to write the following commentary for the URJ 10 Minutes of Torah. It was subsequently published in a URJ Press collection of Torah teachings. I share it with you now on the eve of Simchat Torah to lift your hearts and inspire us Continue Reading »
Every year after Yom Kippur I hear friends and relatives react to their rabbis’ sermons on the Holy Days. And guess what. Not one of them has ever said the rabbi’s sermon was too short. If all goes well, a rabbi’s words from the pulpit are challenging, moving, important and instructive. These are the standards Continue Reading »
Have you ever wanted to build your own sukkah but thought the task was too daunting? Well, fear no more! TBE’s own Dave Cohen designed a simple DIY Sukkah. Recently, Dave constructed the sukkah on video to demonstrate just how easy it is to build. Here are links to the diagram and video instructions. Diagram Continue Reading »
TBE’s Civic Engagement Team has been hard at work organizing to reach out to our temple family and beyond to assure that we all have the information we need to vote safely and on time in the Nov. 3 election. Our work is part of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)’s Every Voice, Continue Reading »
As a new Jewish year approaches, the ways in which we will celebrate it will undoubtedly look a little unfamiliar. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many of us will be unable to gather in the ways we do every year, to both welcome the arrival of the new year on Rosh Hashanah, and to Continue Reading »
[Editor’s note: We asked Cantor Wallach to answer some questions for us via email, so that our TBE family can get to know her better. This profile is largely based on her responses and reflections.] I grew up in western Massachusetts in the small town of Great Barrington. My family was mostly secular, celebrating Chanukah Continue Reading »
When it comes to recipes and food features for the High Holy Days, Rosh Hashanah gets all the love – recipes for honey cake, apple strudel and so on. But all of our holidays have special foods that are traditionally associated with them. For example, during Sukkot, which has its roots in agricultural festivals, Jews Continue Reading »
Words to Strengthen and Inspire “I am not a man of words…” “lo ish d’varim anochi…” (Exodus 4:10) That was how Moses first responded to God’s call to lead our people. Yet somehow that man who declared himself unqualified, as slow of speech and inept with words, overcame his fears, led the children of Israel Continue Reading »
Rosh Hashanah came for a visit a few days ago. Don’t worry, you didn’t miss the actual Yom Tov. That will come on time, according to the proper rhythm of the Hebrew calendar, and we will celebrate it with joy, as is fitting. So how did Cantor Wallach, Amy Rubin, and I experience Rosh Hashanah Continue Reading »
