Rabbi's Corner

Message from the Rabbi

“and that you may recount in the hearing of your child and of your child’s child how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them—in order that you may know that I am יהוה.” (Exodus 10:2)
It is the sentence upon which the Rabbis instruct us to build an elaborate spectacle in order to engage children in recounting the story of Passover.  Understanding that each child learns differently, we construct an evening of props and texts and food of all sorts of textures.  We have leaning, standing and sitting for those who need to move around a little more than others. We have sweet, savory and bitter foods for the varied palettes. All of this is done in order to engage people from young to more mature in learning the story. 
The lesson is that we must tell our story. To which, I ask you to do the following thought exercise.  And I ask, no matter what age your children are: What are we sharing with our children? What do we want them to know about ourselves? 


Mark Your Calendars all at 8:00 on zoom at https://zoom.us/j/95417257214?pwd=NjFENloxOEpGSGhrc1M5dWQ4SG9UQT09
January 30
Religion and Politics
Now that President Trump has been inaugurated, it is time to have a serious conversation about the role of religion in politics.  Our country has steadfastly stood behind the principle of separation of church and state.  But have we?  Let's have a serious discussion about the role of religion in shaping society.
February 13
Not all Uncomfortable Conversations Have to Be Difficult
We all have to visit someone who is ill, elderly or make a shiva call.  In this workshop, I will teach you about how to do that. What is the best way to start?  How do you move on from just talking about the weather?  And how to end the conversation.  No doubt this workshop will deepen every conversation and I look forward to sharing my 30+ years experience in this area.
March 20 
Whine and Wine
We like to brainstorm ideas about how to survive life.  Or just complain.  In the past we have talked about raising kids or dealing with aging parents or both at the same time.  Well, holidays present their own unique set of challenges, especially Passover.  Let's get it all out and talk or just kvetch.
March 22nd and 23rd
Pulpit Swap
Reverend Dr. Blaine Crawford and I will be doing a Pulpit Swap.  That means he will preach in our community on Shabbat morning March 22nd then the next day I will be preaching in his church, Irvington Presbyterian Church, the next day Sunday March 23rd.  As faith leaders we have so much to share with each other that can inspire.  We look forward to meeting new people and showing off our congregations.   

Message from the Rabbi

ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם הטוב והמטיב
Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam, hatov vehametiv.
Praised are You, Sovereign of the Universe, the Good and the Doer of good.

Upon hearing good news one of the Jewish responses is to offer a blessing. Today we heard great news.  The hostages are coming home.  Or at least we hope.  At this moment people the world over are holding their breath, trying to believe against all odds that this 15 month nightmare may be coming to a close.  Maybe the hostages will be returned to their families and this tragedy will finally begin to transform into healing.  As the national anthem of the Jewish people declares, עוד לא אבדה תקוותינו our hope will never be destroyed.
Yet we worry. Yet we are still sad. Yet we are still angry. Yet we are still frustrated. In this moment we feel so many different things at once.  We must hold it all.  As I mentioned on Yom Kippur, this has been a year of waiting to exhale. With each passing day we have had to force ourselves to breathe.  
It seems as though the time has come to let the breath out.  It is possible that this might fall apart.  It certainly has in the past.  However, I cannot give air to that pessimism.  Now is the time to breathe out the hatred and blame.  As each hostage is returned, may that bring some relief and a commitment to helping them and their families recover. This is not the end.  This is a beginning. 
The first response to this glorious announcement is to offer a blessing.  The next response must be to do everything in our power to act as God’s partner in healing the broken hearted.  ​​

Message from the Rabbi

"After two years’ time, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile" (Genesis 41:1)
This verse informs us that it was two years after Joseph had interpreted dreams for his cellmates and asked that they tell Pharoah about his skills. I imagine Joseph had given up on ever being saved from the dungeons. 
As I write this message, the hostages have been held for 444 days and it is easy to give up hope of them ever coming home.  It is easy to imagine that of the 100 hostages few can possibly be alive.   In the Talmud the rabbis speak of יאוש - desperation.  For the rabbis, they are speaking of lost items and when you give up hope of ever finding it.  We must never give up hope of bringing these poor desperate people home.  
We all do the calculations of what is reasonable to expect in this week’s news of Hmaas and Israel coming close to a deal. Some may believe we are no closer than we have ever been.  Some wait with a glimmer of hope that we are close.  As it says in Psalms: 
 הֵ֭מָּה כָּרְע֣וּ וְנָפָ֑לוּ וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ קַּ֝֗מְנוּ וַנִּתְעוֹדָֽד׃
They collapse and lie fallen, but we rally and gather strength. (20:9)
May this Hanukah bring the hostages home and if not may we keep the fight alive for their return. 
This week’s discussion is called “You Can Run but You Cannot Hide” click here for source sheet.

These are the names and ages of the 100 hostages still held captive.  
Tamir Adar (38)
Muhammad Al-Atarash (39)
Hisham Al-Sayed (36)
Hamzah AlZayadni (23)
Yosef AlZayadni (53)
Liri Albag (19)
Edan Alexander (20)
Matan Angrest (20)
Karina Ariev (20)
Aviv Atzili (49)
Sahar Baruch (24)
Uriel Baruch (35)
Ohad Ben Ami (55)
Agam Berger (20)
Gali Berman (27)
Ziv Berman (27)
Ariel Bibas (5)
Kfir Bibas (1.5)
Shiri Bibas (33)
Yarden Bibas (35)
Elkana Bohbot (35)
Rom Braslavski (21)
Itay Chen (19)
Sagui Dekel Chen (36)
Eliya Cohen (27)
Nimrod Cohen (20)
Amiram Cooper (85)
Bar Cooperstein (22)
Ariel Cunio (27)
David Cunio (34)
Emily Damari (28)
Evyatar David (23)
Itzhak Elgarat (69)
Ronen Engel (54)
Daniella Gilboa (20)
Guy Gilboa-Dalal (23)
Meny Godard (73)
Hadar Goldin (23)
Romi Gonen (24)
Ran Gvili (24)
Gad Haggai (72)
Judi Weinstein Haggai (70)
Tal Haimi (41)
Inbar Hayman (27)
Maxim Herkin (36)
Eitan Horn (38)
Yair Horn (46)
Tzachi Idan (50)
Guy Illouz (26)
Bipin Joshi (24)
Ofer Kalderon (54)
Segev Kalfon (26)
Ofra Keidar (70)
Bar Abraham Kupershtein (23)
Solasak Lamanao (30)
Eitan Levi (53)
Shay Levinson (19)
Naama Levy (20)
Or Levy (34)
Oded Lifshitz (84)
Shlomo Mantzur (86)
Eliyahu Margalit (75)
Avera Mangisto (38)
Omri Miran (47)
Joshua Loitu Mollel (21)
Eitan Abraham Mor (24)
Gadi Moshe Mozes (80)
Pinta Natthaphong (35)
Omer Neutra (21)
Tamir Nimrodi (20)
Yosef-Chaim Ohana (24)
Alon Ohel (23)
Sontia Ok’Krasari (30)
Avinatan Or (31)
Dror Or (48)
Daniel Oz (19)
Daniel Peretz (22)
Sontisek Rintalk (43)
Lior Rudaeff (61)
Banawat Saithiao (27)
Yonatan Samerano (21)
Eli Sharabi (52)
Yossi Sharabi (53)
Oron Shaul (21)
Omer Shem-Tov (22)
Tal Shoham (39)
Idan Shtivi (28)
Keith Samuel Siegel (65)
Doron Steinbrecher (31)
Sathian Suwannakham (34)
Pongsak Thaenna (35)
Alexanrdre Sasha Troufanov (29)
Sriuan Watchara (32)
Ilan Weiss (56)
Omer Wenkert (23)
Yair Yaakov (59)
Ohad Yahalomi (50)
Arbel Yehoud (29)
Arieh Zalmanowicz (85)
Matan Zangauker (24)

Message from the Rabbi

"But as she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named him Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin."  (Genesis 35:18)
Singular moments in our lives can define us. They don’t have to, yet they often do.  What we must not permit to happen is being defined by someone else.  Friends describe us, co-workers label us, siblings pigeonhole us and parents name us.  
At this moment Rachel, in agony, names her son, “child of my suffering.”  Then she passes away. Jacob renames his son, “child of my right hand.”    With a few letter changes, Jacob changes the narrative of his son’s life. 
Singular moments in our lives can define us.  They don’t have to if we properly name them. 
​​​​​​​
This week’s sermon is, “The Whole Nine Yards.”
We look forward to celebrating with Natalie Kushner this shabbat for her bat mitzvah and we extend a hearty Mazel tov to her parents Roy and Dalia and her brother Emet. 

Message from the Rabbi

"Shaken, he said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven.” (Genesis 28:17)

It is easy to see God in nature.  Whether it is a landscape or a sunrise, an ocean or even a drop of rain on a leaf, it is easy to be inspired by nature.  Equally impressive is witnessing an extraordinary act of kindness or compassion.  To recognize such wonders is what A.J. Heschel called it an “ah ha moment.” These are the places and events that take our breath away.  
I challenge you to see God in the mundane.  To understand the regular and common as also moments to appreciate it's important.  For some, getting out of bed is impossible.  Be grateful for that.  For some, taking a breath is painful, be grateful for that. For the ability to sit quietly unfettered by challenging thoughts, be grateful.  Know that God is in that place as well. 

This week’s discussion: “What Goes Around Comes Around” the link to the source sheet can be found here ​​.
​​​​​​

Message from the Rabbi

"So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore to him as bidden.” (Genesis 24:9)

In relationships we make requests all of the time.  Can you please take out the garbage?  Can you please empty the dishwasher? Those are requests that we can easily accomplish.  Then there are “reach requests.” These are the requests we make of each other that may very difficult to accomplish.  Can you be more accepting of my friends?  Can you please listen to what I am saying, even after a long and difficult day at work?  
With “reach requests” we may or may not be able to do them.  Trying to meet the needs of another is sometimes difficult.  Sometimes just say “yes” even though we are not actually sure we can or will do them. 
This verse reminds us to keep our promises even if they are hard to do.  Think before you make a commitment.  Your word is your honor.
 
​​​​This week's sermon: Resident Aliens: Pathway to Citizenship

Message from the Rabbi

"Go forth from your native land and from your father's house to the land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1)
Stepping into the unknown is what is sometimes required of us.  This week we will elect a new President.  Regardless of who is elected, it will be a different administration than one we have had for the past four years. In many ways the trajectory of our nation will change because of the selection of new leaders or keeping others in Congress.  Some of our local elections will most certainly see new leaders and representatives.  The landscape will dramatically and subtlety change based on our selection.  We will wake Wednesday morning (hopefully) knowing who the leaders and representatives will be.  However, we will not know what lies ahead. Stepping into the unknown is scary. Fortunately, we get to do it together. 

The discussion for Shabbat morning will be: “Avoiding Familial Strife” (If you can’t be with us in person here is Link for source sheet )
FinishStrong: Does Jewish law permit doing an alternative Haftorah?
​​

Message from the Rabbi

"And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked". (Genesis 3:7)
There are singular moments in history when no matter how hard the world tries they cannot deny reality.  The same is true of ourselves.  We say that love is blind, until you spend years with that person. Or we say that we turn a blind eye when we don’t want to acknowledge something.  Then there are moments of self awareness. Sometimes they happen in the most difficult moments and sometimes they are completely private.  It is in those moments we are offered the greatest opportunity for growth.  
​​​​​​​
Sending you all lots of love from Israel, where I am celebrating my daughter’s wedding. 

Message from the Rabbi

There are four kinds of temperaments:
Easy to become angry, and easy to be appeased: his gain disappears in his loss;
Hard to become angry, and hard to be appeased: his loss disappears in his gain;
Hard to become angry and easy to be appeased: a pious person;
Easy to become angry and hard to be appeased: a wicked person. (Pirkei Avot 5:11)
יהוה passed before him and proclaimed: “!יהוה! יהוה a God compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in kindness and faithfulness, (Exodus 34:6)

Slow to anger and easy to forgive.  In this season of the year, we are concerned with the idea of forgiveness.  We think about who has wronged us and whom we have wronged. We ask God for forgiveness and we try our best to forgive ourselves.  
Often we conceive of God as embodying the best of ourselves.  We attach human traits to God so that we can relate to God. We think of God as compassionate and at times we ask God to exact judgment without bias.  Sometimes we seek God’s grace regardless of the transgression we commit.   Now apply it to yourself.  Strive to be your best self and you will discover something divine. 
This week’s Shabbat discussion will be entitled “Where is God?”

Message from the Rabbi

When you enter the land that your God יהוה is giving you as a heritage, and you possess it and settle in it, you shall take some of every first fruit of the soil, which you harvest from the land that your God יהוה is giving you, put it in a basket and go to the place where your God יהוה will choose to establish the divine name. (Deuteronomy 26:1-2)

Parents will easily remember a time when their children came home from school proclaiming, “Look what I made.”  From those early days we have learned to take pride in our accomplishments.  And there is great satisfaction in making something. A member of our congregation, when we were in the city together, once said, with great pride, “I arranged the financing for that building.”  It stuck with me because of the joy that comes with bringing something into this world. 

There is great satisfaction in making something with your own two hands.  The rabbis remind us of the importance of being a productive member of society.  We must contribute to the greater good. While it is much easier to look at a cabinet you may have built or a piece of art you created, there are other ways to contribute. Find your skill and your talent and share it.  

Message from the Rabbi

 Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that your God יהוה is giving you. (Deuteronomy 16:20)
The above quote coupled with “you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land”(Leviticus 25:10) the Torah implores us to understand the centrality of justice and freedom.  It is what my heart longs for more and more. 
​​​​​​​Every day for the last 332 days I have wavered between my desire for liberty and my yearning for justice.  I want liberty for those still held and justice for those who have been killed.   With the news this past Sunday of the death of 6 more hostages I lean towards what will justice for killing these 6 innocent people look like and will we know when we see it.  Will Hamas ever be held accountable and who will exact it? 
“Justice justice you shall pursue” and “you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land” are two sides of the same coin.  Without one there can never be the other.

Starting this week! 
Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024
This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence.
Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org When you register I will provide the link. 

Message from the Rabbi

Little by Little
Your God יהוה will dislodge those peoples before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them at once, else the wild beasts would multiply to your hurt. (Deuteronomy 7:22)
If you have ever felt overwhelmed it is because there is too much going on all at once. When we have demands of family, work, health and friends, we can easily find there is nothing left for ourselves.  
The words מְעַ֣ט מְעָ֑ט mean little by little is good advice.  When you have too much ahead of yourself to accomplish, use the phrase מְעַ֣ט מְעָ֑ט - little by little, to take a minute to compose yourself.  You might even decide to make a list and take on each item one by one.  

Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024
This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence.
Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course.  Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in.
This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing the link when you register.

Message from the Rabbi

אֵיכָ֥ה אֶשָּׂ֖א לְבַדִּ֑י טׇרְחֲכֶ֥ם וּמַֽשַּׂאֲכֶ֖ם וְרִֽיבְכֶֽם׃
"How can I bear unaided the trouble of you, and the burden, and the bickering!" (Deuteronomy 1:12)
The first word of this sentence in Hebrew is Eicha.  In English there is a book of the Torah known as Eicha, which means Lamentations. It is read on the Tisha B’av which will be observed beginning August 12th at night and going through August 13.  It commemorates the  destruction of both the first and second Temples and is considered one of the worst days in the Jewish year.  
Here, Moses recalls a time when it was too difficult to lead the Jewish people by himself.  It is interesting to note that until this moment he wasn’t leading the Jewish people by himself, he had Miriam and Aaron to help.  However, it was still too much and so he assigns judges from every tribe to assist him.  This verse, therefore, teaches two important lessons. 

1. When you become overwhelmed, you sometimes forget there are those already in your life ready to help.  You may have just lost sight of them in your emotions.  
2. When you become overwhelmed, ask for help.

This week’s Shabbat discussion will be about “The Triangulated Relationship.” 

Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024
This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence.
Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course.  Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in.
This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing the link when you register.

Message from the Rabbi

Real Equality
“The name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.” (Numbers 26:46)
After a long list of men who will make up the armed forces of the Jewish people, the sons who will fight for our survival, the text pauses and reminds us there were daughters also.  In today’s Israeli army women make extraordinary contributions right alongside the men. 
For the Jewish people to survive we need everyone to contribute.  While some ignore the great women of our people we have long reminded our little girls that they can be the next Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah. When our children open their prayer books they see their names prominently displayed alongside Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  

This week's Shabbat discussion is entitled, "Family Stain" 

The month of Elul, the month before the High Holidays is time to prepare for the coming Holiday season and year.  Many devote themselves to study during that time.
Wednesday evenings from 8:00-9:00 September 4, 11, 18 and 25, 2024
This four-week course is for individuals of all experience levels. Throughout the course, we will learn the most commonly recited Jewish prayers and blessings. The class will be conducted using transliteration, which means the Hebrew text will be presented alongside phonetic pronunciation for ease of learning. The essential prayers and blessings we will cover include the High Holy Day blessings, Shabbat blessings, Aliyot for Torah reading, and core prayers like the Shema and V’ahavta. By the end of this course, you will be able to actively participate in Jewish rituals and ceremonies with confidence.
Registering is a must by rsvping to Rabbistein@ghcny.org so I know if we have enough interest to run this course.  Additionally, you can let me know what you are most interested in.
This course will be held on zoom. I will be providing the link when you register. 

Message from the Rabbi

“But יהוה said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me enough to affirm My sanctity in the sight of the Israelite people, therefore you shall not lead this congregation into the land that I have given them.” (Numbers 20:12)

Just after the death of his sister, Miriam, the Jewish people once again complain about their lack of water.  You can imagine the personal turmoil and the particular challenge the moment presented for him and he makes a mistake.  That mistake seemingly cost Moses the right to enter the land of Israel.  The message is clear for us all.
​​​​​​​
When we are not at our best, we all make mistakes.  It is in those times we all need to pause and take the time we need to care for ourselves.  Then we can be there for others.  If not, we may end up saying something, doing something we regret.

The discussion this Shabbat at 11:00ish will be “Line in the Sand and Red Line: When One Leads to the Other.”