J Blog
Shabbat Message: Make Every Day Count
Friday, October 29, 2021
וְאַבְרָהָ֣ם זָקֵ֔ן בָּ֖א בַּיָּמִ֑ים
ֹֽAbraham was now old, advanced in years... (Gen. 24:1)
This verse can also be translated to mean that “Abraham came to his old age with all his days.” Perhaps this means that ...
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Welcome to Family Corner
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the very first edition of the J's Family Corner! We will use this space to offer interactive and thoughtful ideas for family engagement with the Parshat Hashavua (weekly Torah reading). Each week we will offer a summary of the weekly portion as well as videos, crafts, a brief thought, a book recommendation from PJ Library and more. We hope you enjoy!
Parsha Summary – Parshat Chayei Sara
Abraham purchases the ...
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Shabbat Message: Guests, Immigrants and How To See
Friday, October 22, 2021
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Abraham is depicted as a person committed to kindness, specifically welcoming in guests. A closer look at Abraham's actions sheds light just how far reaching this Mitzvah is. There are also profound lessons here in the realm of social justice.
This week’s Torah portion begins with the story of God visiting Abraham. As if a visit from God is not strange enough, what happens next really takes us by surprise.
While Abraham is visiting with ...
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Shabbat Message: Why Look Forward
Friday, October 15, 2021

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ ...
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Shabbat Message: Work and Dignity
Friday, October 8, 2021
Does the Torah support guaranteed work? While it is hard to answer affirmatively to this question, what is clear is that work is valued in the Torah as a source of dignity. As such, we should build a society that provides work for all those who are willing to work.
וַתָּבֹ֨א אֵלָ֤יו ...
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Shabbat Message: Serve the Earth
Friday, October 1, 2021

One of the grand ideas presented in the Torah is that humanity is created in God’s image.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֛ם בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ ...
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