With Mitzrayim, Egypt, a painful memory from the past, and the wilderness their current home, an uncertain future lies ahead for the Israelites. In Parashat Sh’lach L’cha, God tells Moses to “send agents to scout the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelite people; send one participant from each of their ancestral Continue Reading »
Let us pray for the welfare of Israel. Last night Israel attacked Iran in what it called a “preemptive strike.” News reports are coming in every few minutes and it is hard to respond thoughtfully when the situation is so fluid. But we can say this – the attack was predictable. In these last decades Continue Reading »
Dear TBE Friends, On May 9th Andrea Bradley and I emailed the Bishop of Metuchen to congratulate him and his community on the election of Pope Leo XIV. As you may recall, this is the message we sent: Most Rev. James Checchio D.D., All Americans, not just Catholics, were thrilled and delighted by the ascension Continue Reading »
It’s been nearly a year. I take my leave mid-June, taking two weeks vacation time but, in fact, my tenure will have concluded. I’ll be around a bit after that, packing boxes and readying the rabbi’s study for Rabbi Diamondstein. I’ve said good-bye to our students and last week attended my final Board meeting. There Continue Reading »
Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky have been murdered. Let me share the following statement from Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism: May 22, 2025 President Rabbi Rick Jacobs: We mourn Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, the two Israeli embassy staff who were murdered outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Continue Reading »
While the world’s attention is being drawn to President Trump’s business dealings in the Mideast and the personal gift of a luxury jet offered to him by a foreign government, Gaza is being pummeled and many innocent people are dying. In the last number of weeks Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that “victory Continue Reading »
Today, we sent this letter to the Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen, James Checchio, whose parish includes Hillsborough. Most Rev. James Checchio D.D., All Americans, not just Catholics, were thrilled and delighted by the ascension of fellow American, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, to become the next Pope for Catholics around the world. We at Continue Reading »
On Sunday voting for the 39th World Zionist Congress ends. If you haven’t cast your ballot yet, you should. It only takes a few minutes to vote #3, the Reform slate, and it costs only $5. A week ago Wednesday the Jewish world observed Yom HaShoah: Holocaust Day. This past Tuesday night was Yom HaZikaron: Continue Reading »
Tonight is Yom Hashoah, when we remember those who died in the Holocaust. There will be a service at the Flemington Jewish Community Center at 7:00 p.m. I will be attending. I hope you will come, as well. (more about the program) For the last number of months how to remember the events of WWII Continue Reading »
Perhaps you have heard this quip: “All Jewish holidays are the same: “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat.” This joke always draws a chuckle of recognition but just having celebrated Purim and now concluding Passover, I’ve been wondering just how true the witticism is. Perhaps it’s not so simple. There is no Continue Reading »
