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Kever Avot
I am writing this as I prepare to leave for Kever Avot, a ritual of remembering all those beloved to us who have died this past year and beyond. Kever Avot goes back really to the beginning of time, along with the construction of headstones, tombs and memorials to the dead. This past Shabbat was […]
Ki Tavo
Ki Tavo – we shift from “when you leave” last week to “when you come in” this week. And we are instructed as to what we should do when we come into the Land – which is our inheritance, our nachalah. Coincidentally, on Shabbat morning there were a number of articles in the paper about inheritance – […]
Ki Tetzei
What a beautiful Shabbat service we had this past Saturday morning. Our very own Mishpachah Torontow was present in person and on Zoom to celebrate Joshua being called to Torah. Joshua and Katie Marr have both dedicated themselves to learning over this past year+ and that learning culminated in our class having its first Shabbat […]
Shoftim
We are now in Elul – a month away from Rosh Hashanah, a time of looking into new beginnings, and a time of shedding past hurts and misunderstandings. A time to blow the shofar every morning (beginning Monday, except Shabbat), the plaintive wail of the shofar opening our hearts. This Shabbat we welcome Katie Marr […]
Re’eh
We had such a wonderful Shabbat morning this past week; Ben Louwrier read Torah, led part of the service as he celebrated his Bar Mitzvah. What pride we all feel as our young people step up to the bimah and say proudly, “I am a Jew.” A blessing for us all. Mazal tov to Ben […]
Balak
This is my final message for the season, as I am on holiday during July. Balak is an interesting Torah reading with which to say adieu. We open our morning services with the words “Mah tovu, ohalecha Yaakov…words recited by the non-Jewish sorcerer Balaam when he viewed the tents in the valley below him. He […]
Chukat
The other evening as Aaron and I were sitting at the supper table we started talking about my family. I had just heard that my Uncle Doug, the last brother of my father’s generation, is going into Hospice.
Korach
This week, in Parashat Korach, Korach and a small group of Israelite leaders openly challenge the authority of Moses and Aaron. They begin with a plea for Moses to recognize the burden he has assumed, “It is too much for you!” they exclaim but then continue with words far more accusatory…”all are holy and God is […]
Shelach
From the Rabbi’s Desk: Poteach et Yadecha u’masbiah l’chol chai ratzon. You open Your Hand and all desire is fulfilled. (Psalm 145:16) These words from Psalm 145, also known as Ashrei, are words of action as well as praise and fulfillment. As Jews we are commanded to take our teachings forward into the world and […]
Sukkot
September 19, 2021 by Rabbi Lynn Greenhough • From the Rabbi's Desk Tags: sukkot •
Dear friends, Chag sameach everyone, the Festival of Sukkot begins Monday evening, and the last day we celebrate is with Simchat Torah, Wednesday, September 29th. What a month this has been and continues to be!