Passover is a commemoration of the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to redemption and freedom in the wilderness of Sinai. When we read and tell the story during the Maggid portion of our seders, we begin with disgrace, avadim hayinu l’faro b’mitzrayim, “We...
Making a commitment to social justice means, among other things, being willing to challenge authority when one sees oppression, discrimination and violations of civil, cultural and religious rights in one’s community. It means being willing to stand up for ourselves...
In Chapter 3 of Megillat (the scroll of) Esther – which we read on Purim – we’re introduced to our villain, Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Aggagite, who becomes promoted to be King Achashverosh’s second-in-command. Haman expected that everyone would bow...
A story is told that when a gentile came to the great Hillel and said, “Teach me the entire Torah while I stand on one foot,” Hillel replied, “That which is hateful to you, do not do unto others. All the rest is commentary. Now go and learn!” The Torah also commands...
Excerpt from the “I Have A Dream” speech by the Rev. Martin Luther King set to Haftorah trope, chanted by Rabbi Susan Elkodsi. I HAVE A DREAM I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest...
When we think about our personal legacies, and the intangibles we leave behind along with money, jewelry and other goods, two of the things that are often at the top of a list of “spiritual” or “ethical” bequests are a desire that one’s children get along once the...
Recent Comments