Last week I sent you a message about how to give tzedakah. It was brief and to the point. Based on Maimonides’ “Eight Steps of Charity” this is what I wrote: “Give before being asked. Give cheerfully; not grudgingly. Increase anonymity when giving. (Don’t look for glory; protect human dignity. Give because it is right, Continue Reading »
There are at least two times during the year when charity is on the minds of American Jews. The first is during the high holiday season when “charity, prayer and repentance temper God’s severe decree.” The second is tax season, at the end of the year, when organizations vie for the attention of donors. Whether Continue Reading »
Last Friday night I spoke to the congregation about the Thanksgiving holiday. I’m pleased to share some excerpts from that talk: Thanksgiving isn’t a Jewish holiday per se but it certainly has a Jewish feel to it. There’s the food, the family and the leisurely pace of the day. It almost seems as if there Continue Reading »
On a Friday, sixty-one years ago today, President Kennedy was assassinated. For those who are old enough to remember, that day still lives. “Where were you when you heard Kennedy was shot?” For those who can remember, that moment continues to replay itself. John Fitzgerald Kennedy remains present even now. We Jews have a long Continue Reading »
Tonight at 7:30 p.m. we will be holding an open discussion on last week’s election and today is Veterans Day. So America has been on my mind. My father served in WWII on an LST (Landing Ship Tank) on the English Channel. He was proud of his service to the country and the words: ‘U.S. Continue Reading »
You might expect that I would have a few words about yesterday’s election. Not so. I’m going to let the dust settle before offering any observations. For those who voted for Trump, it is the morning after; for those who voted for Harris, it is the mourning after. As a nation let’s pray for greater Continue Reading »
When I was a first year Rabbinical student studying in Jerusalem quite a few of my friends were vegetarians. I scoffed. Not out loud, of course – but most definitely to myself. Where will it end, I thought. Just because we cannot hear the head of lettuce scream when it’s cut, should we care for Continue Reading »
At the conclusion of Yom Kippur we hammered a nail into a two by four. The Central Conference of American Rabbis encourages all Reform Jews to do this even before the break fast as a way to express eagerness to celebrate the next holiday coming up – Sukkot. Though this dramatic and delightful ritual, which Continue Reading »
I am sorry to have missed being in person with you at Temple Beth-El for Kol Nidrei and Yom Kippur. As you may have heard, I was on “mom duty” with our daughter Nora, who needed (unexpected) orthopedic surgery. Thank you for all your good wishes – Nora is doing much better. Thank you for Continue Reading »
This year Simchat Torah will be sweet but bitter, as well. A year ago on the holiday, the worst massacre of Jews took place since the Holocaust. Hostages still remain in Gaza, their fate unknown. Though we can be heartened that the leader of Hamas is no longer a part of this world, we cannot Continue Reading »
