Rabbi’s blog
Weekly Email – September 18, 2019
September 18, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog, Temple News •
Hello Temple Sinai!
This Friday Night we have TWO special services: Tot Shabbat for our younger folks, and Social
Action Shabbat with a presentation about the new South Burlington food pantry Temple Sinai is
involved with. Please come!
Also in this email:
1. SOME COMMENTS ON THE ISRAELI ELECTION (at the end of email)
2. FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR LEGAL AID FOR THOSE IN DENTENTION.
3. ADULT B’NEI MITZVAH CLASSES are starting soon.
4. SHABBAT SERVICES
5. SELICHOT SERVICE SATURDAY EVENING
6. INTRODUCTION TO JUDAISM COURSE BEGINS NOVEMBER 3
Weekly email – September 11, 2019
September 11, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog •
Hello Temple Sinai!
I want to first apologize to anyone who has emailed me and didn’t get a prompt response.
As we approach the High Holy Days, I want to apologize and ask your forgiveness and patience. Also, on this 18th anniversary of September 11, we remember those who died and we should pause and reflect on the changes in our nation and world since those attacks. How is the America we live in today rooted in that tragic day 18 years ago?
Also this week: Close the Camps campaign, Adult B’nei Mitzvah and Intro to Judaism classes, Shabbat Services (with a baby naming!), Upcoming Selichot Service,
Weekly email – September 3, 2019
September 4, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog, Temple News •
Close the Camps campaign, Vermont Pride Weekend events: Interfaith Pride Service, Temple Sinai Pride Shabbat, Vermont Pride Parade and Festival
Parashat Re’ih 2019 – Hanan ben Ari: Wikipedia
September 4, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog, Sermons •
I’ve been speaking often in the past months about the importance of not reducing complex issues to two opposing sides, a ‘good’ and a ‘bad’ side, a ‘right’ and a ‘wrong’ side, but rather to challenge ourselves in these polarized times to think and speak in more complex ways. Judaism has always seen complexity in difficult issues, refusing to oversimplify, and insisting on honoring the value of debate and of opinions we don’t share.
Weekly email – August 28, 2019
August 28, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog, Temple News •
Hello Temple Sinai!
Please find your way to give to this campaign that we are doing across the State of Vermont’s Jewish community. Please give generously, and more importantly, give something. In Jewish tradition, there is no holiness without justice; a good society must have a fair and accessible legal system I know we are all constantly bombarded with this sort of fundraising campaign, and I appreciate all you do already, but let’s show that the Vermont Jewish Community, and Temple Sinai will offer not just ‘thoughts and prayers’ but much needed funding to help those in need of legal aid.
Weekly email – August 22, 2019
August 22, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog, Temple News •
In this week’s email: Close the Camps campaign; Services this Shabbat; Songs, Shmooze and Smores; Food Pantry volunteers needed; Remarks at Moms Demand Action rally
Weekly email – August 14, 2019
August 14, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog, Temple News •
Hello Temple Sinai!
WE NEED A MINYAN ON SATURDAY MORNING SERVICES FOR A SHORT TORAH READING AND CHILD NAMING! PLEASE JOIN US!
This Shabbat morning, we will have a slightly longer service with a short Torah reading (Shema and V’Ahavta!) so that we can have a proper child naming Gwen and Vivian Saipe, daughters of Noah and Adriana, newish members of our congregation, so please try to come and show your support.
Elu v’Elu Back to School Rock Shabbat 2019
August 9, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog, Sermons •
Elu v’Elu Devarim
Words matter profoundly in Judaism. In many ways, the entire Talmud is one long argument over centuries about the meaning and power of words. We are called the “People of the Book” but it would perhaps be more accurate to call us a tradition that holds words and language sacred.
In Hebrew, the word for “words” is devarim. This week, in our Torah reading, we start the Book of Devarim, also known as Deuteronomy. It is the “Book of Words”.
Comments on the Israeli Elections
September 18, 2019 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog •
For the second time this year, Israel held national elections and for the second time this year, the results were pretty close to a tie. No side got a mandate, and who will form the government will take time to resolve. At the moment of writing this, it seems that Benny Gantz’ Blue and White party (centrist coalition) will either tie with Netanyahu’s Likud, or have one seat more. Netanyahu had hoped this election would bring him a clear mandate, but that did not occur. In that way, this is bad for Netanyahu, as any coalition he builds – if he can build one- will be weak…