Yom Kippur: It’s More than “Sorry!” By Rabbi Brad Horwitz Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we all have spent more time at home, and, for some, this has meant more board games. One of my favorite board games growing up was the...
Read Post
What We Celebrate and Learn from Hanukkah Written by Rabbi Brad Horwitz Director, Jewish Engagement & Adult Programs When the Hanukkah candles are lit this year once again, Jews around the world will commemorate two miracles. The...
Read Post
When the Hanukkah candles are lit this year once again, Jews around the world will be commemorating two miracles. The first miracle is a miracle of might. A small band of Jewish fighters, led by Judah the Maccabee and his family were...
Read Post
One of the more popular customs associated with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is the eating of apples and honey. This is to symbolize hopes for a sweet new year. It is also fitting for the beginning of the fall season when several...
Read Post
One of the liturgical poems in the Haggadah is called Dayenu which means “it would have been enough.” With its repetitive chorus and upbeat melody, the Dayenu is often a fan favorite sung during the seder. This year I ask you to join me in...
Read Post
It always strikes me as odd that this holiday occurs during the middle of winter. It would seem more appropriate to celebrate the birthday of the trees during any other time of the year when nature’s beauty and bounty are more visible...
Read Post
I often tell my school aged children that you can never say “please” or “thank you” too much. It doesn’t get too old and no one will ever fault you for giving thanks and showing appreciation. Actually, the more sense of...
Read Post
When the Israelites traveled in the wilderness they lived in temporary dwellings called huts or booths or sukkot. And in commemoration of that time in our Jewish past, we celebrate the holiday of Sukkot, this year set to begin Wednesday...
Read Post
Complete Repentance During this season of the Jewish High Holidays, it is our responsibility to do tshuvah (repentance). Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur there are ten days called Aseret Yemei Tshuvah or the Ten Days of...
Read Post
Is there something (a person, a cause, an idea) that you want to investigate more fully? Have you had any particularly religious or spiritual experiences this past year? Is there something that you wish you had done differently this...
Read Post