This is the D’var Torah I gave for Parshiyyot Chukkat-Balak 5783, July 1, 2023. This is a picture of me at the age of 17 on top of Masada in Israel, wearing a baseball cap that says “YAZ”. I remember asking someone to take this picture, and to get me and the Yaz cap and Continue Reading »
Submitted by Liz Macedo, Co-Chair TBA’s Tzedek Committee On June 9th & 10th, Temple Beth Abraham celebrated their third annual Pride Shabbat to celebrate the lives and contributions of Queer Jews. Members of the Tzedek Committee led a Kabbalat Shabbat service with prayers, songs, and reflections written by LGBTQ+ Jews and hosted a panel discussion Continue Reading »
Happy Summer, Everybody! Take a look at this very short and subjective list of summer reading for kids and adults. These are books that I have read and enjoyed through the years. Books for children: I Love Camp by Todd Parr (Picture book) Adventures at a Jewish summer camp. I love all of Todd Parr’s Continue Reading »
This is a D’var Torah I shared February 11, 2023 for Parashat Yitro, but I’m publishing it now right before Shavuot, when we read the same section of the Torah, Exodus 19-20. This book — the Torah — has been read and encountered by millions of people through so many generations, and changed their lives Continue Reading »
After last fall’s Israeli election, the new coalition has proposed a series of reforms related to the powers of the Supreme Court with regard to laws passed by the Knesset and to the selection of judges, among other things. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been protesting each week, after Shabbat and during the work Continue Reading »
Yom HaShoah marks a very dark period in our Jewish history. We vow every year to never forget those who suffered, fought, lost their lives, and those who survived against all odds to tell their stories. We also vow to never again experience the horrors of the Holocaust and make a promise to stand up Continue Reading »
Action: Donate For many of us growing up, it was traditional to plant tree in Israel through the Jewish National Fund (JNF). Another way to plant trees in Eretz Yisrael is to Plant Two Trees for Justice through T’ruah: The Rabbinical Call for Human Rights. Each $36 donation is marked by the planting of two Continue Reading »
Last year, a group of parents of young children from our community got together monthly (via Zoom) to learn together, share experiences with one another and grow as Jewish parents. The Parenting Through a Jewish Lens program is offered by Hebrew College, and welcomes the participation of parents from all faiths, cultures, families, and life Continue Reading »
A question I often get around Chanukkah is: Is it true that all the candle have to be at the same level, other than the shamash? Usually the question comes from creativity — someone who wants to repurpose another item as a chanukkiah, or who has a new vision of the candles and their combination Continue Reading »