Make A Donation

Uncategorized

Rabbi Jared H. Saks Remarks Before the City of South Portland Human Rights Commission on a Resolution Regarding Antisemitism – Important Update at End of Post

by

February 9, 2023 – 19 Shevat 5783 My name is Rabbi Jared H. Saks and I serve as the spiritual leader of Congregation Bet Ha’am in South Portland’s Thornton Heights neighborhood. Bet Ha’am is comprised of 350 member households, drawing mostly from the greater Portland area, but including members from Kittery to Caribou and the … Read more

Jewish Mindfulness

by

By Jane Sloven “Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally…in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.” ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn Mindfulness is not a new concept for Judaism; it’s just a modern description of age-old meditative and awareness practices embedded in our tradition. We have morning prayers and … Read more

Existence is Resistance

by

Shabbat Vayeitzei December 2, 2022 – 9 Kislev 5783 Congregation Bet Ha’am Rabbi Jared H. Saks             I learned a story from the Talmud early in the pandemic that brought me hope. In Tractate Makkot (24b), we read a story about a group of rabbis who ascend to Jerusalem after the destruction of the Temple … Read more

Finding Family, History and other Surprises in Israel

by

By Sarah Szanton             “Want to go pray in the street?” our cousin Nachshon casually asked us on a Friday night after candle-lighting.             “In the street?” I asked. Isn’t that dangerous? I thought. Won’t we get hit by a car? Won’t people think we’re crazy? Maybe he meant something different. A parade in the … Read more

The Power of This Day – Kol Nidre 5783

by

October 4, 2022 – 10 Tishrei 5783 Congregation Bet Ha’am Rabbi Jared H. Saks             There’s a prayer in our morning liturgy, Asher Yatzar, that has renewed meaning for me each time I overcome illness, no matter how minor or severe. It’s sometimes referred to as the bathroom prayer because it praises God for our … Read more

Abortion

by

Kol Nidre 5782 September 15, 2021 – 10 Tishrei 5781 Congregation Bet Ha’am Rabbi Jared H. Saks I did something for the first time in my rabbinic career a week ago. I decided to scrap my original sermon for this evening. In my second year of rabbinical school, I had colleagues serving in student pulpits … Read more

©2024. Congregation Bet Ha’am. All Rights Reserved.