J Blog

“I am for climate change. I do not want the climate to be the same all the time.” Judah Friedlander – Comic. January sixteenth is Tu B’Shvat (the 15th of Shvat). Tu B’Shvat is called the birthday of trees, meaning the fruit of a tree that was formed prior to that date belong to the previous tithe year and cannot be tithed together with fruit that was formed after that date. The day has become a day to focus on ...

Family Corner is a space to offer interactive and thoughtful ideas for family engagement with the Parshat Hashavua (weekly Torah reading). This week in the Parsha we encounter themes of song, freedom, miracles and impatience. Parsha Summary The Children of Israel escape across the Sea of Reeds from Pharaoh and his army, who drown when God drives back the sea. (13:17-14:31) Moses and the Israelites sing a song praising Adonai. (15:1-21) In ...

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהֹוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה ע֣וֹד נֶ֤גַע אֶחָד֙ אָבִ֤יא ...

This is the time of year where there is a lot of talk about resolutions to lose weight, gain muscle, get in shape, tone up, get fit etc., etc., etc. There is also a lot of talk about "New Year, New You", which means exactly what? The problem is that all of this information is too vague and doesn't give the average individual, who wants to make positive changes with their health, any real direction. Don't get caught up in hype and catch phrases. ...

Family Corner is a space to offer interactive and thoughtful ideas for family engagement with the Parshat Hashavua (weekly Torah reading). This week in the Parsha we encounter themes of plagues, keeping promises, darkness, Rosh Chodesh, time, Passover and Tefillin. Parsha Summary God sends the plagues of locusts and darkness upon Egypt and forewarns Moses about the final plague, the death of every Egyptian firstborn. Pharaoh still does not ...

וְגַ֣ם  אֲנִ֣י שָׁמַ֗עְתִּי אֶֽת־נַאֲקַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר ...

Family Corner is a space to offer interactive and thoughtful ideas for family engagement with the Parshat Hashavua (weekly Torah reading). This week in the Parsha we encounter themes of listening, plagues, overcoming setbacks, freedom and prayer. Parsha Summary Despite God's message that they will be redeemed from slavery, the Israelites' spirits remain crushed. God instructs Moses and Aaron to deliver the Israelites from the land of Egypt. ...

Ancient Story – Contemporary Meaning The Exodus narrative that we begin reading about this week, is such a powerful story that it has been used as a model of inspiration to many freedom campaigns. Below are a few examples of why the Exodus saga has and continues to have such relevance. I provide them for you to ponder and think about in terms of your own social action work. On January 14, 1963, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel gave the ...

Family Corner is a space to offer interactive and thoughtful ideas for family engagement with the Parshat Hashavua (weekly Torah reading). This week in the Parsha we encounter themes of helping the less fortunate, standing up to tyranny, overcoming challenges, Jewish Pride, Standing up to bullies Parsha Summary The new king of Egypt makes slaves of the Hebrews and orders their male children to be drowned in the Nile River. (1:1-22) A ...

What lasting message are we left with as we complete the book of Bereishit? We can take a hint from the introduction to Jacob’s blessing of his sons. הִקָּבְצ֥וּ וְשִׁמְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֑ב ...