People are flocking to see the new Barbie movie which, as of this writing, has earned over $700 million in box office revenue. It is the hit of the summer and the film that has brought America back to the movies. Why is Barbie so popular? And why exactly is...
In August of 1897 Theodor Herzl brought together Jewish leaders from around the globe. They met in Basel, Switzerland. The attire was formal. The event would prove to be historic. The subject of the meeting: the need for a home for the Jewish people. Herzl’s vision was to garner support...
Parashat D’varim: Beginning the Fifth Book of Torah Summer Jewish Life in the Poconos This past Shabbat morning, I chanted the prayer announcing the new Hebrew month of Av in our summer congregation, the Hemlock Farms Jewish Fellowship. For 32 years, Ellen and I have spent our summer vacation in...
As I start my 20th year as your Cantor, I would like to share with you one major way I have grown (dramatically) since I started. In my first couple of years as your cantor, I would come to the office with an Iced Carmel Macchiato and a Blueberry Scone...
If you have ever been to Israel, you know what it feels like to land back in America. You are exhausted. You are fulfilled. You are both energized and dragging. That is how I feel as I write this. This week I came back to the synagogue after an extraordinary...
A DOUBLE PORTION DESCRIBING PROFOUND PRESSURE ON MOSES AND HIS ABRUPT REACTION. All over the world, Jews are reading two Sidrot/Portions this coming Shabbat, the double portion of Hukkat/Balak, chapters 19-25 in B’midbar/Numbers. The Israelites are approaching the end of their 40 year march in the desert on the way...
On Saturday night, I will board a plane to Israel alongside members of our community. I can’t wait to get on that plane. Traveling to Israel is more a pilgrimage than anything else. For generations our people have embarked on this very mission, even if modes of transportation have clearly...
Monday will mark a historic occurrence for KI. For the first time, we will close our building in observance of Juneteenth. It commemorates the day on which enslaved peoples in Texas were freed: June 19, 1865. While celebrations of Juneteenth originated in churches in the south, it has grown over...
How many times have I heard this from my now teenage daughters, “keep up with the times” and even from my husband! Is this a phrase you have heard as well? Usually I hear it in reference to using technology or the words I am using…I am trying to keep...
Gun violence is the plague of our time. It is heart wrenching. Our children are dying. Our elected officials are standing idly by. This Friday night we will take part in Ceasefire Shabbat, joining with congregations across the country as we bring attention to the horrific realities around guns. We...
