Rabbi’s Corner

Shabbat Message, January 10, 2025, Parashat Vayehi

Posted on January 10, 2025

SERMON: “THE SURPRISE ENDING OF GENESIS” The D’var Toarh: When we finish reading the Torah portion this week we will stand together as a community and proclaim: “Hazak, Hazak v’Nithazek” – from strength to strength, let us be strengthened. We… Read More »

Shabbat Message, January 3, 2025, Parashat Vayigash

Posted on January 3, 2025

The highly charged, emotional moment when Joseph reveals himself to his brothers is the centerpiece of this week’s sedra. There are a number of lessons that our Torah portion imparts: Allow emotions, at the right times, to guide our decisions,… Read More »

Shabbat Message, December 27, 2024, Parashat Miketz – Shabbat Hanukkah

Posted on December 27, 2024

Hanukkah is Not a Minor Holiday! Hanukkah is not a minor holiday. I hereby raise it to the same status as Yom Kippur and Pesah! And, if you ask me, the food is better. When we light the lights, we… Read More »

Shabbat Message, December 20, 2024, Parashat Vayeshev

Posted on December 20, 2024

Our Torah readers lineup this week includes youth who are taking on the serious responsibility of continuing our tradition. Come support them and those fellow congregants committed to chanting Torah and haftarah. Come also because the story of Joseph starts… Read More »

Shabbat Message, November 29, 2024, Parashat Toledot

Posted on November 29, 2024

It is our story, that of America and that of the Jewish People. Isaac takes up the challenge of his father and mother to continue the story of the Jewish People. He is known as the “father” who did not… Read More »

Shabbat Message, November 22, 2024, Parashat Haye Sarah

Posted on November 22, 2024

Sarah was one hundred plus twenty plus seven when she died. She stopped at each of those ages and said “I no longer want to be like this any more.” So powerful was her ability to improve her life’s direction… Read More »

Shabbat Message, November 15, 2024, Parashat Vayera

Posted on November 15, 2024

The Lord visited our ancestors Avraham and Sarah and informed them they will have a child in their old age. Surprised, delighted, incredulous God says, “Is there anything too wondrous for God?” One way of reading that phrase in the… Read More »

Shabbat Message, November 8, 2024, Parashat Lekh-Lekha

Posted on November 8, 2024

“It’s on you.” My son, Yonah, and I were talking about what to do with some of his earnings. “Give tzedakah,” I told him, “five times chai, 5X18.” I said. “That sounds like a commandment, Abba.” He likes to remind… Read More »

Shabbat Message, November 1, 2024, Parashat Noah – Rosh Hodesh

Posted on November 1, 2024

Noah was called a tzaddik – a righteous soul in his generation. The classic question commentators ask is “was he righteous just compared to the people of his generation who were considered corrupt, extremists and violent? Or, was he as… Read More »

Shabbat Message, October 16, 2024, Shemini Atzeret, Simhat Torah

Posted on October 16, 2024

Remember with love – and celebrate! My Yizkor sermon on Shmini Atzeret (Thursday morning) will build on what Elie Wiesel told world Jewry about Simhat Torah during the war. When asked about celebrating this unique holiday right after the Holocaust… Read More »