As we observe Martin Luther King day, I think it has more meaning to those of us who recall life in the US prior to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. We recall a time in the US when all of our fellow citizens did not enjoy full rights...
Coming into the New Year, I thought I’d begin by actually sharing some insights from Torah. I know its a bit of a radical idea, a rabbi sharing thoughts from scripture, but there are two readings that sit with me and we did not have a chance to meet in...
In a matter of days it will be the beginning of February and we will look to the prognosticator of prognosticators to tell us whether or not we have six more weeks of winter. I can say with a great amount of certainty that I would love to think that...
Shana tova, happy New year! Can you believe it’s 2025! If wishing a happy new year feels a bit redundant it might be because we just experienced the beginning of a new year as recently as October. As Jews, we are lucky. We get to celebrate New Year’s twice in...
This holiday is a tricky one. During any other celebration, the mere date and time dictate what the holiday is. Rosh Hashanah is about the beginning of the year, Passover is about our peoples’ exodus from Egypt. Even Yom Kippur, we are given a way to navigate the commandment to...
Finalize plans with the extended family? Check. Plan out the menu? Check. Order the meat? Check. Clean the house? Check. Polish the silver? Check. Put out the good china? Check. Find something for the kids to wear to services? Check. Run around for weeks on end until you’re too exhausted...
Not “Goodbye” but “Be Seeing You” My dear Am HaYam Family, Our tradition teaches: kol hat-cha-lot kashot, “all beginnings are difficult.” This phrase has been something that many speakers, ancient and modern, religious or secular, have used. I myself have said it many times. But as I prepare to end...
The Value of the Violin in You The story is told of the great Jewish-born violinist Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962).[1] Some critics had suggested that the only reason he made such beautiful music was because of the Stradivarius he played. So on one particular concert night, Kreisler enraptured the audience with...
A Passover Lesson: Don’t Let Opportunities Become Chametz Why did the matzah quit his job?.…Because it didn’t get a raise. What army base is off limits on Passover?.…Fort Leavenworth. Why did the matzah go to the doctor?.…Because it started feeling crumby Why did the matzah baker rob the bank?….He needed...
Ne’ilah: Goldberg’s Pencils (delivered by Rabbi J.B. Sacks on September 25, 2023) A reporter traveled across the country in search of interesting stories. She arrived at a small town in the Midwest. At first, it seemed like every other town she had visited. However, one thing was different: No...
