This week our thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost family, friends and loved ones in Orlando. I pray that we will one day find the strength, courage and fortitude to build a society that no longer needs to throw out words like pluralism or inclusion as those will be traits that are engrained in our communities. This week while on a much less threatening scale, yet no less important, are a number of events that are taking place in Israel that threaten the Jewish State relationship … [Read more...]
Keeping the Faith – 16 years later
It has been 16 years since "Keeping the Faith" hit the theaters in April 2000. A story about Rabbi Jacob "Jake" Schram (Ben Stiller) and his two best friends Father Brian Finn (Edward Norton) and Anna Reilly (Jenna Elfman). I imagine many of you have seen the film, nevertheless the summary, is that Anna rekindles her relationship with her two childhood friends after moving back to NY. Anna(Jenna Elfman), who is not Jewish, ends up falling in love with Rabbi Schram (Ben Stiller). I came across … [Read more...]
Words of Torah – Bechukotai
Between Egypt & Sinai This coming Shabbat we will be in the home stretch of the 49 day count that commemorates the Israelites' journey from Egypt to Sinai, from slavery to freedom. A little over 5 weeks ago, on the second night of Passover, we began our march and our count towards day 49. The idea of making each day count is a profound idea. So many of us lead lives running from one meeting to another, see our spouse, kiss the kids, go to bed and then do it all again the next day. With a … [Read more...]
A healthy conversation about Intermarriage
Source: Love And Tradition - Books About Jewish intermarriage, Insights About Jewish Intermarriage, Educational Consulting Over the past 2 weeks I have had a number of conversations with families about the topic of intermarriage. I feel for everyone involved as the topic, unfortunately, has become the third rail for many Jewish families. What I have learned working with families is that while a conversation about intermarriage may be difficult, does not need to end relationships. … [Read more...]
Siddur Lev Shalem – A New Siddur for A New Day
I am thrilled that Beth El Synagogue through the generosity of the Fellman Family has purchased the brand new Siddur Lev Shalem. The new Siddur, which I hope you will get your hands on soon, will be at the center of our synagogue prayer life for many years to come. The Siddur is our guidebook when it comes to prayer, it is also the thing we come in contact with the most when we are at the synagogue; it has to be accessible and the Lev Shalem meets that need. The Siddur is also a tool that … [Read more...]
The Value of Early Childhood Education
When I arrived in Omaha in the late Summer of 2011 I was envious of very few of my rabbinic colleagues. In Omaha I found a great job, a loving congregation, and a committed community; I felt blessed then and I feel the same way today. There was only one thing that when I arrived I looked at friends around the country and said, “I wish I had that.” What was it that I missed? In many communities across the country early childhood centers are housed at Synagogues in addition to Jewish Community … [Read more...]
the clothes we wear
Do you know why judges wear black robes? The custom comes from Colonial Judges in England who wore black and sometimes colorful robes as well white powered wigs. The custom made its way to the United States and became an integral part of our justice system. While the wigs have faded away, the traditional black robe is still worn by every state and federal judge when they walk into a court room. This week our country lost one of our brightest and most treasured legal minds with the death of … [Read more...]
I would like to think that when David Ben Gurion declared a Jewish State 1948 he did so knowing my kids would always have a place to call home. … [Read more...]
http://rabbistevenabraham.com/i-would-like-to-think-that-when-david-ben-gurion/
A Lesson in Gun Control from Israel
A Lesson in Gun Control from IsraelAnyone who has been to Israel typically makes two quick observations. First, everyone has a cell phone and second, it would appear, that everyone has a gun. Whether it be the young soldier with an m-16 on his back to the store owner with a sidearm, guns it would seen are part of society or so it would seem. The Slate article points out that:“gun advocates in the United States sometimes misleadingly cite the country as a positive example of a place with a … [Read more...]
Omaha City Council – A Lesson from Maimonides
Omaha City Council - A Lesson from Maimonidesrabbisteven: The Omaha City Council began a debate on Tuesday around the increased problem of “aggressive panhandling”. In rabbinical school I would often find myself walking the few blocks from my apartment to the seminary, behind one of my most beloved and well respected professors. I noticed that he always had change in his pockets and almost always would give to those individuals on the street who asked for money. What was peculiar was that those … [Read more...]