I have been a cantor now for 21 years and was a student cantor for 3 years. In those 24 years of officiating at B’nai Mitzvahs, I could never call myself “the parent” of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah student….until now. I have had the honor of standing by the side of...
This week’s Torah portion is a double one: Vayakhel-Pekudei Exodus 35:1–40:38. These portions are a continuation of the description of the building of the “Mishkan-“our sacred place where God dwells within. Four parshas of the Torah focus on the building of the “mishkan” whereas one parsha focuses on the creation of...
The tradition of a Purim Shpiel dates back to from the fifteenth century (or earlier), and they have an important place in Jewish history. Purim Shpiels not only bring us some comic relief, but they also tell the Purim story with historical reference and cultural flavor. From a Purim Shpiel...
My grandmother told me “it doesn’t cost anything to be kind.” Kindness is one of those beautiful gifts of the human heart. Kindness is flexible, it is forgiving, and it is spacious. In this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, we are reminded of these lessons of kindness. Having just left Egypt,...
In this week’s Torah portion, B’shalach, while we celebrated our freedom and danced along the shores of the sea, it was coupled with fear and doubt about what was to come. The question of “will God continue to sustain us?” In Exodus 17:3, after we crossed to freedom, we started...
Moral Compass: Artists Respond to Crises Temple Judea Museum exhibition January – March 2021 KI MEMBERS RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC: I Walk with You – Cantor Amy Levy All of us have had to make mental shifts during this pandemic. I find a mental shift especially difficult when we are used...
I am wishing all of you a bright, warm and light-filled Hanukkah. As the days darken and Covid numbers are rising, Hanukkah brings us a chance to bring light and love into our lives. I am thankful that we have this opportunity to light candles with you each night. We...
This year, we are going to be setting up bins in the vestibule in the main entrance. Please bring your donations there now through December 13th, and find the appropriate bin to leave your item(s). This year we are asking for: – Kids in preschool to 2nd grade to bring...
We have heard the term, “needing to pivot,” so many times throughout this pandemic. On the surface, this means we start with a certain plan, and then when circumstances change, we pivot – we shift, we revise, and we look again, at what we now need to do to manage....
Rabbi Sussman’s family reports that his surgery on Tuesday was successful and he has started the steps towards recovery. The family appreciates the outpouring of love and concern that was expressed during this past week. In this week’s Torah portion, Abraham, like our beloved rabbi, is recovering from surgery. Abraham...
