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On Being takes up the big questions of meaning with scientists and theologians, artists and teachers. This episode was recorded at the URJ’s biennial in boston and features Rabbi Sarah Bassin and imam Abdullah Antepli. It felt strange after only a year working in Muslim-Jewish relations to have become a national expert on the… Read more »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
This post originally appeared here on the URJ website on December 22, 2017. As a relatively new cantor, I approach each day as a learning experience and am thrilled by the number of congregants who show up each year for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. During these services, my goal is to offer enough of… Read more »
In our Strive to Make a Difference feature we will highlight member involvement in causes near and dear to their hearts. If you have a connection to a charity and would like to share it with us, please email Hub@tebh.org. Perhaps there is no elegant way to explain why Barry and I got involved with,… Read more »
A Blessing for those who Love URJ Camp Newmanby Cantor Lizzie Weiss First there was Saratoga and Swig, where our grandparents and parents and then our generation made memories. Then there was Newman which we all begrudgingly marched over to And worked hard to rebuild the memories of our past. And with the lessons of Swig and… Read more »
The Amidah Our standing prayer that allows for our silent moments of more personal prayer—it opens and closes with some of the most compelling words of poetry from King David. At the beginning, we say: And at the end we say:The opening and closing words both speak to the power of, well, words. According to… Read more »
Betterment It is hard to believe that I have already been part of the TEBH community for two months and already feel at home. Over the past two months, as numerous families have warmly welcomed me and shared about what makes TEBH such a special community, I have, in turn, shared about the values I… Read more »
Dear Rabbi, I have never understood this: why do some synagogues (like Temple Emanuel) celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah, while others only celebrate one? Dear Celebrater, The origins of Rosh Hashanah’s two days is connected to the 2 day celebrations at the beginning of the three Pilgrimage Festivals (Sukkot, Pesach, Shavuot) and goes back… Read more »
Core of Goodness There are lots of ways to describe the phenomenon of self-doubt, that you have “psyched yourself out” or that “your head is not in the game”. Maybe you are more prone to “not trusting yourself.” At the core, each of these phrases captures a sense of inadequacy…. Read more »
Authenticity I am so excited to officially join the community at TEBH! Leading up to this moment many people have asked me: “How will your journey to this point in your life in uence your leadership as Rabbi Educator?” This question gives me reason to pause and re ect on my journey… Read more »
Dear Rabbi Every year you offer “Elul Preparation Classes” at Temple Emanuel. What are we preparing for, and why during Elul? Sincerely, – Too Elul for School Dear Too Elul for School, During the month of Elul, Jewish tradition provides several preparatory words, symbols, and actions leading… Read more »
Dear Rabbi… Rabbi, my father is Jewish and my mother is Christian, I went to religious school, had a bat-mitzvah, and my whole life I’ve had Shabbat dinner at home with my family and friends on Friday nights. Last week someone told me I wasn’t Jewish, is that… Read more »
Dear Rabbi… I’m finding myself so busy, with work emails, to-do lists, meetings, and family time—I’m not making any time for any sort of meditation or re ection for myself. Is there any way to infuse a little spirituality so I can start my day on the right foot, without taking a ton of time? … Read more »
When I was a student, a rabbi once asked my class, “What is the BEST prayer in the prayer book?” Fellow students yelled out: “Shma!” “Kaddish!” “Shalom Rav!” After entertaining everyone’s ideas, he paused and said, “I’ll tell you what the most important prayer in the prayer book is!” We all leaned in anticipatin the… Read more »
