Month: July 2019

by Lynn Urbach, President I’m honored to have been elected president of Bet Ha’am. And believe it or not, I’m looking forward to working for all of you for the next two years. I’ve thought a lot about what I would like us to accomplish in these two years. And I dream. I dream that … Read more

Our confirmands’ speeches. Confirmation Speech, by Aaron Tabenken  When I first started Hebrew school, I used to dread getting up at 8:00 AM on Sunday mornings. I felt that I was just going somewhere to learn things that I thought were not important to me at all.  As time went on, I realized there were some good things … Read more

Rabbi Jared H. Saks I don’t keep kosher. Many of you already know this. Many, I imagine, do not. I’d like to tell you a little bit about why. First, some background. My maternal grandfather, after whom I am named, was a meat dealer. He wasn’t a butcher or a shochet (kosher butcher), but he … Read more

by Wendy Hayes, Tikkun Olam Council Chair On July 2, I attended a Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG) meeting, attended primarily by communities of faith and non-profits, addressing the situation at the Portland Expo which is currently serving as an emergency shelter for about 270 immigrants, including about 40 families. The work that is being … Read more