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...
In this week’s portion we read the famous story of twin brothers Jacob and Esau. Though twins, they are hardly alike. Esau is outdoorsy, a hunter, his flesh red and hairy. Jacob meanwhile is meek, inclined to be indoors, studious and understated. With Rebecca’s help, Jacob will usurp the birthright...
On Friday night we will honor the congregants who make lifelong learning possible at KI. Caryl and Mike Levin have done so much for our community over the years, making learning real across the age span. By helping us to learn as adults, they and their wonderful volunteers have made...
This weekend, around the world, kids will dress up for Halloween. They’ll go door-to-door for candy. Yards will be decorated with spiders and spider webs and all the spooky accoutrements of this time of year. Haunted houses will be visited. Ghost stories will be told. Even still, there are even...
Last week, when we saw the first images of hostages reunited with their families, there was a collective sigh of relief. Following two horrific years, these brave souls found themselves back in Israel and back in the arms of those they love. The twenty that came back are the lucky...
This Shabbat, our youngest will become a Bar Mitzvah. Lisa and I would love to have you join us for a festive Friday night service and special oneg. Sammy is one-of-a-kind: smart, funny, understated and loving. Like all kids, he’s layered and amazing. My dad will be giving the sermon...
A week ago, we witnessed a shocking and horrific murder. It made national news. There were cries for revolution and protest. Commentators took to the networks to decry the incident. They predicted uprisings and outrage. While I feel Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric was deeply offensive when it came to minority groups,...
David Byrne, the lead singer of the Talking Heads, sings ‘the world was moving she was right there with it, and she was.’ The song, ‘And She Was,’ appeared on their 1985 album, Little Creatures. I’m not sure what he intended when he wrote that line, but – for me...
This week we come to the Torah portion of Re’eh, which opens with these harrowing words: ‘See this day I set before you blessing and curse: blessing, if you obey the commandments of the Eternal your God that I enjoin upon you this day; and curse, if you do not...
What does it mean to be a progressive Zionist? What does it mean to live between those on the far left, opposed to every Israeli action, and those on the far right, for whom Israel can do no wrong? What does it mean to love a place and a people...
