Thank you again for continuing to welcome me so warmly. My first Shabbat in person with you all was memorable, warm, and full of ruach, spirit, and I know they’ll continue to feel that way even when we have somewhat less than two hundred of our members present. (If you missed last week’s service, you Continue Reading »
In our parashah this week, Balak, we learn of an enemy king who sends one of his court prophets, Bil’am, on a mission to curse the Israelite People. A wild narrative ensues, complete with talking donkeys, intimidating angels with fiery swords, curses transformed into blessings, and some of the most famous and oft-quoted verses from Continue Reading »
Dear Temple Beth-El, Thank you for my all-time warmest welcome. It has me—to use what has seemingly, and quite unintentionally on my part, become the word of the moment—totally stoked. Sitting at the desk where my predecessor, Rabbi Arnie Gluck, built a monumentally successful rabbinate is humbling. Rabbi Gluck’s successes in community building, on which Continue Reading »
There is an old saying: the more things change, the more they stay the same. I’ve said this more times than I can remember. It applies to all sorts of situations, including the central theme of this week’s Torah portion, Korach. Last year I also led Erev Shabbat services for Parsha Korach, and my drash Continue Reading »
I have been reflecting on our past year at Temple Beth-El, a unique year in the life of our congregation and indeed the world. And, to be perfectly honest, each year at TBE has been different from the last for me personally, given that I arrived here in 2020, as the COVID pandemic was just Continue Reading »
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 »
