Christmas week poses fascinating and perhaps harsh questions for our people. Do we lean in or out? Do we look away? How do we discuss the holiday when our kids ask about it? What do we make of a national culture so totally consumed with the rites and norms of...

I read the following quote recently, from Karen Hesse, author of the children’s book, The Stone Lamp: Eight Stories of Hanukkah Through History. The quote goes as follows: ‘Sometimes a flame can be utterly extinguished. Sometimes, a flame can shrink and waver, but sometimes a flame refuses to go out....

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayeishev, Joseph shares his dreams with his brothers. He thinks he’s simply telling them what he saw. But they hear something entirely different. His dreams stir up all the old hurts in the family: competition, favoritism, the fear of being overlooked. Their reaction reveals more...

The HaMotzi November Thanksgiving Dinner was a Huge Success! It was our most attended of the entire year and involved the most volunteers! ++ Much Appreciation to the November Dinner Sponsors:       Lois and Stan Singer       Aaron Kraus and Rhonda McKitten in memory of Ellen Finkelstein, a devoted HaMotzi  volunteer ++ Monthly...

When I was in rabbinic school, I was assigned this week’s Torah portion, Vayishlach. I was to give a sermon on it to the student body, as well as the esteemed faculty, which consisted of renowned rabbis, cantors and teachers.  In the portion, we read about Jacob preparing to reunite...