Rabbi's Corner

Message from the Rabbi

The Whole Truth
The messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We came to your brother Esau; he himself is coming to meet you, and his retinue numbers four hundred.” (Genesis 32:7)
We watch the news and read the papers because we want to know what is going on in the world. In reality, we are only getting part of the story.  In most cases we are only getting a slanted opinion of what is going on.  Therefore, we must dig deeper into what we hear.  We need to evaluate for ourselves based on facts that we can gather on our own.  It takes effort but that effort will produce results that are far closer to the truth than the original sound bite we may have heard. 

In this Biblical story the messengers only report about numbers not intention.  Had they let Jacob know that Essau had no ill intentions, Jacob would have never panicked about their meeting.  He could have saved himself many sleepless nights.  Getting the full story can ease the anxiety that only our minds produce.

​​Join me and Reverend Gareth Evans today, Tuesday at 11:30pm at the Shames JCC of on Zoom for an interfaith conversation about Abraham’s visitors who announce the birth of Isaac.

Message from the Rabbi

"Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quick, three seahs of choice flour! Knead and make cakes!”"(Genesis 18:6)

If only good people would rush to do good things with the same zeal bad people rush to do bad.  For whatever reason, there seems to be an energy to do what is wrong, while there seems to be a lethargy to do what is right.  Maybe we just believe the arch of history bends towards justice.  However it doesn't mean it happens on its own.  We must participate in making the world a better place ans we must do so with vigor. 

Message from the Rabbi

“But I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall enter the ark, with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives.” (Genesis 6:18)
Noah’s ark is famous.  It is a story of how one person saved humanity from extinction. Our community is our ark.  Building it, rebuilding and reimagining is the task of each and every one of us and it begins with connecting with one another. 

Rabbinic Connections - In Person and on Zoom
Rabbijaystein@gmail.com
RabbiStein@ghcny.org

1. Genesis 2 ways
a. The stories of Genesis you know or thought you knew on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8:00 pm. This week on Wednesday, October 26th. 
Zoom link for Class:  https://zoom.us/j/96603944928?pwd=VnJBbXYzSm5ieEdqa0lXQUkzajRiUT09 
b. Project Genesis - with my friend Pastor Evan Gareth of Irvington Presbyterian Church will explore key stories and how our traditions read them. December 6th 10:00 am at The Shames JCC - in person

2. Whine and Wine - our joint wisdom about how best to care for our aging parents at 8:00 pm. This week Thursday night October 27th
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96603944928?pwd=VnJBbXYzSm5ieEdqa0lXQUkzajRiUT09

3. FinishStrong - join me every shabbat after services for a conversation about some of the most provocative issues of the day. We provide lunch and your drink of choice - in person Starting Saturday, October 30

4. Book Club - each month we join to discuss a book (3rd Tuesday of each month) This week October 25th at 10:00am.
Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81007702781?pwd=R2I1RDkyZ1BRMWZUdkdpMjE0Ymptdz09

5. B’nai Mitzvah Family Program 5783 every 3rd Sunday of the month at 10:00am - in person next meeting November 20th

6. Blessings of the Animals Sunday the 30th at 1:00pm - in person in the parking lot.

I really miss you - so let’s get together!

7.  Home visits - If you are homebound, I’d love to come to your house.  Send me an email to find a time that works for you. (Sorry, this is limited to those members living in NY State) - in person

8.  Ice Cream with the Rabbi - I’d love to meet your family for ice cream (I’m paying) send me an email to find a time that works for you.  In person at Carvel.

9. Night In. Your home, you pick the date and time, invite your friends and together we can pick the activity.  This is a great alternative to a night out. Minimum of 8 people required. I have a ton of ideas of how we can entertain ourselves. Games, plays, discussion. It is all fair game (see what I did there). Oh, you provide the refreshments. - In person at your house.

10. - Kabbalat Shabbat - each week take 25 minutes to wrap up your week with song and one thought. (Times change each week, check ghcny.org or GHC News) on Zoom -  https://zoom.us/j/95417257214?pwd=NjFENloxOEpGSGhrc1M5dWQ
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Message from the Rabbi

“But I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall enter the ark, with your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives.” (Genesis 6:18)
Noah’s ark is famous.  It is a story of how one person saved humanity from extinction. Our community is our ark.  Building it, rebuilding and reimagining is the task of each and every one of us and it begins with connecting with one another. 

Rabbinic Connections - In Person and on Zoom
Rabbijaystein@gmail.com
RabbiStein@ghcny.org

1. Genesis 2 ways
a. The stories of Genesis you know or thought you knew on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8:00 pm. This week on Wednesday, October 26th. 
Zoom link for Class:  https://zoom.us/j/96603944928?pwd=VnJBbXYzSm5ieEdqa0lXQUkzajRiUT09 
b. Project Genesis - with my friend Pastor Evan Gareth of Irvington Presbyterian Church will explore key stories and how our traditions read them. December 6th 10:00 am at The Shames JCC - in person

2. Whine and Wine - our joint wisdom about how best to care for our aging parents at 8:00 pm. This week Thursday night October 27th
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/96603944928?pwd=VnJBbXYzSm5ieEdqa0lXQUkzajRiUT09

3. FinishStrong - join me every shabbat after services for a conversation about some of the most provocative issues of the day. We provide lunch and your drink of choice - in person Starting Saturday, October 30

4. Book Club - each month we join to discuss a book (3rd Tuesday of each month) This week October 25th at 10:00am.
Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81007702781?pwd=R2I1RDkyZ1BRMWZUdkdpMjE0Ymptdz09

5. B’nai Mitzvah Family Program 5783 every 3rd Sunday of the month at 10:00am - in person next meeting November 20th

6. Blessings of the Animals Sunday the 30th at 1:00pm - in person in the parking lot.

I really miss you - so let’s get together!

7.  Home visits - If you are homebound, I’d love to come to your house.  Send me an email to find a time that works for you. (Sorry, this is limited to those members living in NY State) - in person

8.  Ice Cream with the Rabbi - I’d love to meet your family for ice cream (I’m paying) send me an email to find a time that works for you.  In person at Carvel.

9. Night In. Your home, you pick the date and time, invite your friends and together we can pick the activity.  This is a great alternative to a night out. Minimum of 8 people required. I have a ton of ideas of how we can entertain ourselves. Games, plays, discussion. It is all fair game (see what I did there). Oh, you provide the refreshments. - In person at your house.

10. - Kabbalat Shabbat - each week take 25 minutes to wrap up your week with song and one thought. (Times change each week, check ghcny.org or GHC News) on Zoom -  https://zoom.us/j/95417257214?pwd=NjFENloxOEpGSGhrc1M5dWQ
​​​​

Message from the Rabbi

Where Are You?
God called out to the human and said to him, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)

The High Holidays are over.  The roller coaster ride has now come to a end and we might be thinking about all that has happened over the past few weeks weighs in on choices we make going forward.  For some, we just made it through and back to things as usual.  For others, we might have decided to take on one improvement in our lives.  For a very few, there will be wholesale changes in our priorities. As we begin to read the Torah from the beginning and as we begin the new year, we must ask ourselves Where are we?  We are given many opportunities to pause and reflect and make changes.  So where are you?  

Personally, I hope one of those places is in the synagogue.

Message from the Rabbi

God said to Moses the time is drawing near for you to die. (Deuteronomy  31:14)
Is that a good thing to know or not?

We are often told to live every day as if it were your last. It is an exhortation to live your best life, live life to the fullest.
However, most of our lives are spent doing the mundane. Making payments. Going to work. Eating dinner. Sleeping. Most of our conversations are about meaningless things. Who’s picking up the dry cleaning? Who’s making dinner? Where do you want to go on vacation?
Every moment can’t be significant. Every conversation can’t be meaningful.
But some can and when they happen take a moment to appreciate them. Take a mental picture. Cherish it.
May we all be inscribed in the book of meanigful living.

Message from the Rabbi

 Speechless
"You shall then recite as follows before your God" (Deuteronomy 26:5)
Sometimes the events of life leave us without words.  In those times it is probably better to say nothing. However, certain circumstances require us to say something.  In those moments, it is best to rely on the words of others.  Ask, what has someone said to you that was meaningful?  What have others said that has brought you comfort or inspiration?  Then use those words.  

Check Up/Check In
I am available in half hour slots to speak with you about what is going on in your life. We can do this on the phone, in person, or on zoom.  Beginning at 10:00am and going through until 2:00pm on the hour and half hour, September 13, 14 and 15th  I’d love to connect. Call it a spiritual check up.

Message from the Rabbi

Law and Order
You shall appoint judges and officers for your tribes, in all the settlements that your God is giving you, and they shall govern the people with due justice. (Deuteronomy 16:18)

As they say on the tv show Law and Order “In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: The police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders.”

​​​​​​​We understand for the judicial system to work many people have to do their specific jobs.  We need controls in order for society to work.  Internally, we need that as well.  Each of us have been endowed with a brain and a heart that regulates how we behave.  We make choices every day that require us to use reasoning and use impulse.  Finding the balance will help us to find a true and moral path in life. 

FinishStrong is back and better than ever.  Come back to the great conversation about whatever you want (even though I have some great topics) right after services on Shabbat each week.

As part of our effor to offer our members new and exciting opprtunities we are partnerign with the Jewish Theological Seminary of America to make avaible very interesting classes. Today, at noon is the first.  In the future we will be making the information avaible much earlier so you can plan accordingly. 

"Questioning the Unquestionable God: A Heart to Heart Mono/Dialogue with God"

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81622846178?pwd=RkZERW96WUFEdC9pVWJ6NHdkdnI2QT09

Meeting ID: 816 2284 6178
Passcode: 979058

Message from the Rabbi

Before the real craziness of going back to school, I wanted to offer a few suggestions from our tradition.  We know transitions are difficult and we know that school in a post pandemic age has been particularly challenging.  So here are a few suggestions to help ease you and your family back. 
You don't need to do them all, just pick a few that work for your family.
Tips for going back to school
Something new - get something new for you.  Your child will get new sneakers or a backpack or a new first day of school outfit. Make sure not to forget yourself in the process.  
Set aside time to connect - make sure you srty aside a fixed time to connect, with your partner, yourself and of course your kids.  Asking how was school today on the ride home is important, but they may not be open to talking at that time.  Maybe before bed, maybe at dinner is a better time.  
Learn their language - I have often heard kids use words I never heard before. Words like Bruh, Slaps, Bet, Slay seem to have meanings I don't get.  Learning to listen to their language will save you time in trying to figure out how you can help. Learning  when they are hungry or sad, or anxious is really what we ought to be working on.
Cut back on activities - our kids are over programmed.  Make some choices for them.  Now is the time for kids to remember they have down time or I used to call it in my day, "time to veg out." 
Add family activity - no matter the make up of your family, family time is critical to feeling safe and secure. They may fight this at first but they will come to appreciate it.  Maybe a game night, or a movie night or a craft night or just make your own Sunday.  The effort will pay huge benefits in the long run. 
Find a consistent routine and stick to it - our children find safety in routine.  They thrive when they know what is coming.  Whether it is bedtime, dinnertime, homework time, knowing what is coming is critical to development. Regular repsonsibilities also create structures, making their bed, taking out the garbage, folding their clothes, are part of gaining a sense of ability and accomplishment. 
Be honest and positive - we have no idea what is around the corner.  We have endured so much.  The kids see things, they hear things. Be honest with them, in and at an age appropriate, about what is going on in the family and the world. Tell them how it might affect them or that it won't at all. Always remain positive, the energy you bring to every conversation is often more important that what you actually say.  
Expectations should be about kindness not grades - remind your children that grades aren't what is most important.  The type of human being they are is.  Tell them to be kind to others. Tell them to be respectful of their teachers.  Tell them to share and be grateful for what they have.
Make a commitment to come to synagogue - Community is important. it grounds us, it gives us a sense of belonging of being part of something bigger.  Our synagogue is a safe place whether it may be from COVID or other security concerns.  We work hard to make sure this is a place everyone feels comfortable.  Get out of the house and come to the synagogue for a service, for a program or for a class.  It is an adventure.
We will greet you with open arms or with a fist bump if that is more comfortable for you. 
Finally, call me anytime. I want to be part of your family. I want to help you on your journey.  I am a resource you might not think will be of any help, but who knows? I might be. 

Message from the Rabbi

Remember Your “P’s” and “Q’s
"Let me, please, cross over and see the good land on the other side of the Jordan, that good hill country, and the Lebanon.” (Deut, 3:25)

The origin of “Remember your p’s and q’s” comes from teaching a child to be careful when writing to make sure to be careful in the differences between a “p” and a “q” as they are so similar.  Another theory is it came from bartenders when serving people beer who were getting a little tipsy.  He was reminding about the difference between pints and quarts of beer.   We have come to use the term in reminding people to mind their manners. That os why I thought the “p” stood for “please.”   

I would say this to my kids when they went to a friend's house because I wanted them to behave properly. I would tell them to make sure they said please and thank you at the appropriate time. 

This one word can be the difference between a request and order.  No matter our position in life, common courtesy can be achieved with one word.  Whether you are the boss, or the patron in a restaurant, the word “please” can go  long way for how we treat others and what their response is going to be. It changes our attitude and theirs.  So please remember your “p’s” and “q’s."

Message from the Rabbi

“Moses recorded the starting points of their various marches as directed by יהוה. Their marches, by starting points, were as follows:” (Numbers 33:2)
Moses’ farewell is long and drawn out.  It begins here with him writing down his version of Jewish history.  Rabbi Jonathan Sacks points out that one of the greatest innovations in human evolution comes in the technology of writing. Then he continues, “Technology gives us power, but it does not and cannot tell us how to use that power.”
We must recognize how we chose to tell our story is important. It is what makes our history, both personal and national, meaningful. Remember in your story you are the winner. 
​​​​​
Tisha B'av begins on Saturday night August 6 @ 9:00pm
We will be doing Eicha on zoom this year.  Would you like to read this year?

Message from the Rabbi

Not Every Offense Is Meant To Be An Offense. 
“Moab was alarmed because that people was so numerous. Moab dreaded the Israelites,” (Numbers 22:3)
Many of our fears have little basis in reality. We begin by telling ourselves a story then we hunt for facts that confirm our theory. We must inspect our opinions rigorously.  A person cuts us off on the highway, we begin telling ourselves a story about that person. Maybe it was a simple mistake.  A friend doesn’t answer the phone, maybe they couldn’t find their phone.  A loved one doesn’t say thank you, maybe they were just preoccupied.  Not every offense is meant to be an offense.
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Message from the Rabbi

"God said to Aaron: You and your sons and the ancestral house under your charge shall bear any guilt connected with the sanctuary; you and your sons alone shall bear any guilt connected with your priesthood." (Numbers 18:1)

We are responsible not only for what we do but also for the establishments that are important to us. In the wake of the incredible conflict within our country we must ask ourselves if we are doing enough to uphold those institutions that need our support.  We often ask, how does this place or that organization serve me?  Might we also ask, how can I serve them?

Message from the Rabbi

“For they are formally assigned to Me from among the Israelites: I have taken them for Myself in place of all the first issue of the womb, of all the male first-born of the Israelites.” (Numbers 8:16)

Substitutions are just practical.  We do it when we order food at a restaurant.  We do it in sports. We take what was supposed to be there and put something else in its place.  It's not always ideal but we make it work.  Understanding that sometimes the ideal is unachievable gives us permission to find others ways of being. There is something liberating in recognizing our limitations and then finding ways of being enough. 
 
Sharon and I invite you to celebrate the upcoming marriage of Gavi Stein and Evan Klein on Saturday morning, July 2, 2022, 9:30 am.  
Please, please RSVP by replying to this email,  so the catering group knows how much to prepare.
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Message from the Rabbi

 "God spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai" (Number 4:1)

We need to find the silence of the wilderness to hear God speaking to us.  We must clear away all distractions and find moments of quiet is difficult in this world of constant contact.  The connection we desperately need is with God who can give us direction in this world that seems to have become so chaotic. 

Tikkun Layl Shavuot this Saturday evening June 4 at 9:00 pm beginning with Maariv and then Zoom at 9:15 when shabbat is over. For the zoom link  click her.

Last chance to submit the text you will be teaching for our Tikkun Layl Shavuot.  In order to be able to make the texts available to everyone I need to assemble them.  I am happy to help you locate one if you would like to teach.