So I’d like to start off by saying that I’ve never actually written a blog post before. Like, ever. So I hope I’m doing it right. But I guess I’ll find out. For those of you who don’t know, I spent these past four weeks at URJ Kutz camp in Warwick, NY. Here I’ve spent Continue Reading »
During the first week of December I had the pleasure of attending the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial in Boston. You’re going to read quite a bit about the Biennial elsewhere in this edition of the Shofar, so rather than “pile on” to that subject, I’d like to talk about how warm it is. That Continue Reading »
A new secular year has dawned, and, as with all things new, it brings the opportunity to greet it with optimism and thoughtfulness for its possibilities. For some of us, the possibility exists of choosing to do something truly different with our lives in this new year. Most of us, however, will find ourselves carrying Continue Reading »
Childhood examples of tikkun olam helped inform Jamie Pear’s life’s work. Jamie, a TBE member and resident of Bridgewater, has spent much of her career helping children, and training others to serve the most vulnerable among them. Jamie says she has “always been passionate about working with children,” following in her mother’s footsteps to devote Continue Reading »
Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt of remarks made by Shelley Drozd during Yom Kippur’s Reflection Service. We enjoyed it so much we wanted to share her words with you. I feel my Judaism in my DNA. I come from a long line of Glasers who arrived in this country from Latvia in the Continue Reading »
Did you finish your homework? Practice piano? Hurry, we’ll be late to soccer! Don’t forget to pack for the school trip! Got the right backpack?! Sound familiar? The average week is so full of activity—school and homework, sports, music lessons, play rehearsals, scouts…the list goes on and on. There’s also Sunday school, Hebrew school, and Continue Reading »
There is no halachah, no legal structure to define Tu Bishvat. For this reason, its position in Jewish practice wavers between two opposing poles, which can be understood by reference to two important Jewish leaders of the 20th Century: the modern orthodox scholar Rabbi Irving Greenberg and the last Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson. According Continue Reading »
Our tradition teaches us that the deeds we do for the deceased are among the greatest kindnesses possible. Clearly our sages had in mind that such acts are untainted by thoughts of self-service, since there is nothing the dead can do to requite us. A recent experience, however, helped me see a deeper dimension to Continue Reading »
It has been a busy fall for Social Action at Temple Beth-El. We worked closely with Rabbi Gluck preparing for the Many Faiths, One Home interfaith event on October 29, which is focused on caring for our world. One of the initiatives stemming from that event is a decision to become a founding member of Continue Reading »
We are now in the Jewish month of Cheshvan, also called “mar” or “bitter” Cheshvan by the ancient rabbis because there are no holidays during this month. Modern day cantors tend to think of it in other terms. But this Cheshvan, I and my Cantorial Concert Committee, led with hard work, dedication, and so much Continue Reading »