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You may have noticed that Aaron and I will be sponsoring our oneg this coming Friday evening. Mishpatim is a very special parashah for us both, but particularly for me, as it is my conversion parashah. Interestingly, Mishpatim is also the first parashah where we learn many of the ‘civil’ mitzvot after standing at Sinai. […]

Yitro is that reading that reminds us all that not only are we not alone, but that we should never think we can do it all by ourselves. Yitro is the father-in-law of Moses. He watches a long line of people approaching Moses day after day, hour after hour with their problems. And finally Yitro […]

This week we cross the sea! We read within the pages of our texts what might be an example of a very early concrete poem. The crossing is beautifully written in what comes to be called ‘brick’ fashion.                 Not only is the text written in this exquisitely […]

Did we just move to Winnipeg? We had a cold (COLD) snap for a few days here this past week. It may have been cold outside, but there is nothing quite like sharing a Shabbat service with each other, welcoming new people into out midst to bring warmth into the room. Our calendar often seems […]

Shemot is a tough act to follow!  Va’eira opens with yet another introduction by God to Moses, “Ani Adonai”, I am Adonai. And then God proceeds to outline both a history and an action plan to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, including the ensuing plagues. During Pesach at our Seder tables, we read a summary of […]

 This week we begin a new Book – the book of Shemot. Seems very fitting for our first Shabbat service of 2024. A new year however it is marked, brings us yet another opportunity to reminisce and also to look forward. I am often living within the lintel, as it were, between babies and funerals, […]

The very first words in this week’s parasha Vayigash, we read that Judah carefully approached Joseph. The tension has been building amongst the brothers – and is certainly building for Joseph. Eventually Joseph could no longer restrain his emotions and cried out with such a wail that all Egypt heard him! Imagine. In my experience, […]

 We had a remarkable Hannukah party – about 80 people came to enjoy a wonderful dinner and most important for us all, Jewish connection. Thank you to everyone who brought food, who helped set up and make the room so beautiful, who helped serve, and of course those who helped pack up tables and chairs. […]

Hannukah begins this week, and as always, we balance between real-politic and miracles. The victory of the Maccabees ensured our survival in our land for another few hundred years; the oil lasted eight days instead of one – a nes gadol! Today of course, Hannukah resonates more strongly than ever as the war continues. We […]