Month: September 2020

by Rabbi Jared H. Saks Rosh Hashanah 5781 One of my favorite characters in Jewish literature is Oscar Freedman, or Ozzie, in Philip Roth’s The Conversion of the Jews. Ozzie is a thirteen-year-old Jewish boy who wants to understand his religion. He wrestles with and questions his Judaism – and his fellow Jews – in … Read more

by Toby Rosenberg, congregant This is the perfect year to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot at home in your own sukkah (literally, a booth). Have you lately wished that your house would sprout another room? Build a sukkah. Have you lately wished that you felt comfortable going out to dinner just for a change of atmosphere? Go … Read more

by Rabbi Jared H. Saks Erev Rosh Hashanah 5781 There’s a famous story from the Talmud[1] – perhaps you’ve heard it – in which Rabbi Akiva, one of the most renowned rabbis of the Talmudic period, is forced to spend a night in a field and everything seems to go wrong. The Gemara relates the … Read more

by Lynn Urbach, President It’s obvious, I know. Our homes and apartments are different now than they were six months ago or last year at this time. They have morphed from the place we sleep, eat, and spend time with family and friends to the center of our lives: our restaurant, movie theatre, gym, and … Read more

by Toby Rosenberg, Congregant Perhaps you are among the growing circle of worshippers who have gathered around the Bet Ha’am reflecting pool after Rosh Hashanah morning services to share a short liturgy then toss stones representing your flaws into the pool. Or maybe you have, over the years, found a special spot by a body … Read more

by Lynn Urbach, President September 15 marks six months since congregants were last in our building. Our religious school was closed on March 15 due to COVID-19. That same day, the board held its annual retreat; that was the last time I, or any non-staff person, was in our building. Normal is a word that … Read more

by Jane Sloven, congregant Words of prayer are repositories of the spirit. It is only after we kindle a light in the words that we are able to behold the riches they contain. It is only after we arrive within a word that we become aware of the riches our own souls contain. ~Rabbi Abraham … Read more

by Rabbi Jared H. Saks Each year, we make our way through the fifty-four portions into which our Torah is divided. At Simchat Torah, the last of our fall holidays, we conclude Deuteronomy and begin Genesis once again. Then, on the first Shabbat after Simchat Torah, we turn to Parashat B’reishit, the first Torah portion, … Read more