Synagogue Administrator

Imagine, if you will, you’re at a Shabbat morning service. It’s time for the Torah procession when you usually sing, “Al Sh’losha D’varim” – Upon three things the world stands: on Torah, on worship and on deeds of lovingkindness. Only this time, you and your fellow congregants are more honest about what the world really … Read more

Speech #1 Sophie Frantz   When I was younger I had a lot of questions about being Jewish. I knew that we celebrated Hanukkah instead of Christmas, and our house was lit up with a menorah instead of lights on a Christmas tree. In the spring we would search for afikomen instead of pastel colored … Read more

My brother’s wedding!  How delightfully un-middle-aged it sounded to think about my brother getting married.  People my age talk more about our kids getting married, if we’re lucky, but usually not our siblings. Despite the sound of it, though, this was, alas, a middle-aged event after all.  A second marriage for both of them, the complications of children … Read more

I’ve been to Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial and museum in Jerusalem about a half dozen times. Every tour to Israel includes a visit to Yad Vashem and on our recent trip, I was dreading the experience. I’ve been through enough times to remember a sense of what comes next, even with the new building … Read more

In an article published by Tikkun Magazine this week, David Gordis shared his sadness about the vision he once held for Israel. Gordis, who served as vice-president of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America and the University of Judaism in Los Angeles, the Conservative movement’s two seminaries, as well as being President Emeritus of Hebrew … Read more

What does the 2012 Fox TV show Touch, a gelato place, and the Jewish concept of the “Righteous 36” all have in common? The TV show Touch centers around a nonverbal, likely autistic young boy named Jake. Jake is not able to talk or communicate with the world in a typical way, so instead he … Read more

We Cannot Remain Silent Shabbat Sh’mot January 1, 2016 – 21 Tevet 5776 Congregation Bet Ha’am Rabbi Jared H. Saks     Some years ago, after having been ordained from Hebrew Union College, I had a need to call upon the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the CCAR, for assistance with some matter. The person … Read more

December 22, 2015 10 Tevet 5776   Chevrei,   In recent weeks, there has been dialogue within our congregation about our involvement in social justice causes. Our religious school students have had monthly tikkun olam programs, their parents have sought a deeper involvement in the issues of our day, and our congregation has lent its … Read more