Rabbi Steven Abraham

Upon arriving in Omaha five years ago I knew we had found an incredible community. Omaha has stellar schools, a philanthropic culture, low unemployment, the best zoo in the US and a high quality of living…just to name a few of the many wonderful characteristics of our community. Yet one of the aspects of the community that surprised me the most was the lack of racial diversity. In my time at Beth El I have searched out ways to be active and involved in North and South Omaha, predominantly … [Read more...]

While on vacation last week I did a great deal of reading, in the midst of a number of new books, I took the time to come back to one of my all time favorites, God Was Not in the Fire by Rabbi Daniel Gordis. This is one of those books that helps give me purpose, every page makes me think and whenever I read it, at all different stages in my life, I respond differently that I have before. I read it for the first time when I was in the process of applying to rabbinical school. The book spoke to … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]