I have been thinking a lot this past week about the word yes. Giving assent, agreement, even within our silence. Rabbi Mendel Torum of Rymanov taught: Only the first letter of the commandments, the aleph of anokhi, “I am,” was spoken by the Divine voice. Aleph signifies the number One, referring to the unity of all in God, […]
Each week when we have services over Zoom, I like to find part of our musical heritage to end the service – sometimes contemporary and sometimes an historical treasure. These past two weeks I was with families as we buried their beloved husbands, fathers, and grandfathers – both men born in Istanbul. In their memory, […]
Congratulations to Kolot Mayim’s Jack Shalinsky, who, over the weekend was presented with a certificate in recognition of his 17 years of service on the board of Jewish Federation of Victoria and Vancouver Island. Presenting him with the certificate is KM’s Aaron Devor.
Shalom Aleichem, Many years ago, one of my students celebrated his Bar Mitzvah with Parashat Naso. I remember his reading of Torah as if it were this morning. M. was called to Torah, and all of us – the rabbi, his parents and me, his teacher and gabbai sheini, leaned in to help as needed […]
Recently I attended a workshop on the Jewish soul, led by one of our esteemed congregants, Dr. Elior Kinarthy. After Elior provided descriptions of the reality of the soul, he invited us into a guided meditation, a visualization of our soul. My role was primarily that of time-keeper, but I joined the group as we […]
Bechukotai
May 23, 2022 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk •
I have been thinking a lot this past week about the word yes. Giving assent, agreement, even within our silence. Rabbi Mendel Torum of Rymanov taught: Only the first letter of the commandments, the aleph of anokhi, “I am,” was spoken by the Divine voice. Aleph signifies the number One, referring to the unity of all in God, […]