Jan
29
2018

How We Win Is Important: D’var Torah B’Shalach

Rabbi Sarah Bassin

This piece was originally published at ReformJudaism.org on January 26, 2018 B’shalach, Exodus 13:17−17:16 If we as Jews believed in a hell, Amalek would have a special place in it. Since we don’t, we take care in every generation to blot out Amalek’s name. It’s a level of disdain we retain for the worst of… Read more »

Jan
25
2018

Strive to Heal the World

Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills

tikkun olam temple emanuel

Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills strives to connect with the larger Jewish community and engage with the broader world. Tikkun Olam is a centerpiece of what we do at Temple Emanuel and a pillar value held by our congregation. Here are some of the ways we as a temple help make a difference in the… Read more »

Jan
22
2018

Thinking Big and Failing Fast: D’var Torah – Bo

Rabbi Sarah Bassin

This piece was originally published at ReformJudaism.org on January 20, 2018 Bo, Exodus 10:1−13:16 Think big. As a society, we value those who step beyond the status quo, who push us beyond what we think is possible. We think of them as heroic — because they possess a talent that we do not. But what… Read more »

Jan
12
2018

Kavanah for January 2018

Rabbi Jonathan Aaron

Kavanah January 2018   We count our lives by years But we don’t live that way We live for future moments For deadlines, for parties, for anniversaries and travels For raises, and for endings For lovers, and for friends We live in the past Remembering or lamenting Our projects, our parties, our anniversaries and travels… Read more »

Jan
10
2018

Shortness of Breath, Shortness of Spirit: D’var Torah Va-eira

Rabbi Sarah Bassin

rabbi sarah bassin temple emanuel of beverly hills

Va-eira, Exodus 6:2−9:35 High school wasn’t great for me. I functioned at the periphery of social groups, laying low and laughing at jokes made at my expense so as not to be excommunicated into social oblivion. The weekend I left for college, I never once second guessed my decision until the moment my parents said goodbye… Read more »

Jan
04
2018

Strive to Make a Difference: Shana Passman | Jewish Family Services

Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills

tikkun olam

As my four children left the house, I found myself looking for a way to both fill my time, but more importantly to fill my soul. The answer for me was volunteer work. As far back as I can remember my parents were involved with the community, so I always felt it was the right… Read more »

Jan
03
2018

The Limits of Control: D’var Torah Sh’mot

Rabbi Sarah Bassin

This piece was originally published at ReformJudaism.org on January 1, 2018. Sh’mot, Exodus 1:1−6:1 We take control. We lose control. Sometimes things are beyond our control. There is as much value in recognizing what’s within our control as there is in acknowledging what is not. Finding that balance of what to own and what to… Read more »