Over a decade ago Rabbi Paul Drazen z"l was looking for ways to attract more members to come to synagogue and more specifically be willing to take an aliyah (honor of being called to the Torah) on Shabbat morning. Rabbi Drazen along with the ritual committee instituted a policy of having the 5th Aliyah being specifically for those celebrating a Simcha (happy occasion) a birthday, anniversary, going or returning from a long trip, etc. Following the aliyah, the clergy would say a misheberach … [Read more...]
Judaism – Open Space vs. Brick & Mortar
On Friday night I had the honor of speaking at B'nai Israel Synagogue in Council Bluffs, IA. The synagogue is beautiful, and I am incredibly thankful for the invitation from their leadership to teach. B'nai Israel is the only remaining synagogue in Council Bluffs; you can learn more about B'nai Israel at Facebook Events or Wikipedia Article The topic for the evening was "Judaism - Open Space vs. Brick and Mortar." For quick definitions, I understand "open space" as programming or experiences … [Read more...]
As You Leave for Camp
For the past eight years, I have encouraged many families to send their children to Jewish summer camp. In those conversations I tried my best to explain the incredible benefits of spending a summer away from mom and dad, a summer spent making friends that will last a lifetime, a summer where Judaism seeps into your pores through osmosis. This has been the story I have told "other" people, as my kids were too young to attend sleep-away camp, that all changes on Sunday. No longer am I just the … [Read more...]
Praying With Our Feet
A few folks have asked me about the potential conflict of the synagogue taking part in the Heartland Pride Parade on Saturday, June 29 and the observance of Shabbat. I wanted to take the opportunity to share my thoughts on the topic. A few years back, a few congregants asked if the synagogue would publicize a walk, taking place on Shabbat to support cancer research. My initial thought was while I had no issue with folks participating in the walk, the question in front of me was whether … [Read more...]
The Cost of Doing Business
I was having a fascinating conversation with a close friend about the ongoing struggle of many Jewish communities to decide where to put their financial resources. Do you spend $$$ to increase the engagement and activity of Jews who have made an effort to be involved in the Jewish community (i.e. joined the JCC, send their kid to the Jewish early childhood center, perhaps even joined a synagogue) OR do you try and reach out to those who defined as unaffiliated. For this post "unaffiliated" will … [Read more...]
Leveraging Technology
In July 2018 the Beth El Board of Trustees unanimously approved the usage of Live Streaming during Shabbat and Festivals. When the conversation of live streaming began at Beth El I could not have imagined the positive feedback and first-hand stories as to its benefits. At first, we had a few community events that through the use of live streaming we were able to include members of our community not able to make it to Beth El. Then there were a number of private events, a baby naming as well as a … [Read more...]
Just One More Day
Texts from Shabbat discussing Shemini Atzeret Leviticus 23:36 seven days you shall bring offerings by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall observe a sacred occasion and bring an offering by fire to the LORD; it is a solemn gathering: you shall not work at your occupations. Rashi on Leviticus 23:36 a solemn gathering [i.e., God says to Israel,] “I have detained you [to remain] with Me.” This is analogous to a king who invited his sons to feast with him for … [Read more...]
Ethical Will – Yom Kippur 5779
A few years back, after Leor was born, Shira and I knew that we needed to sit down with an attorney and have a will drafted on our behalf. At first, I admit, the thought of doing this was incredibly morbid. The idea of talking about the end of life, at the very beginning of my son’s life, was something that I did not want to think about. Facing questions regarding what happens to our children in our God forbid untimely passing were topics of conversation that I was not prepared to face, and yet … [Read more...]
Faith In Things Unseen – Kol Nidrei 5779
Sir Ken Robinson, a world renown author and speaker on education tells the following story. “I heard a great story recently -- I love telling it -- of a little girl who was in a drawing lesson. She was six, and she was at the back, drawing, and the teacher said this girl hardly ever paid attention, and in this drawing lesson, she did. The teacher was fascinated. She went over to her, and she said, "What are you drawing?” “And the girl said, "I'm drawing a picture of God." And the teacher said, … [Read more...]
Peoplehood
The case made against a Jewish State begins and ends with the argument that Judaism is only a religion and not a people. This distinction while subtle is crucial to understand because it allows detractors to argue that the Jewish People are not deserving of a sovereign nation of their own. The argument goes that Israel's adversaries take no issue with Judaism, it is the Jews unwavering belief in peoplehood and nationhood that cannot be accepted. Jerusalem has been our home for over 3500 … [Read more...]
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