Jerusalem, The Beloved City of Conflict

This past week, President Donald Trump gave a speech in which he noted, "I have determined that it is time to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. After more than two decades of waivers, we are no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians." While he made no decisions about Jerusalem's borders or East Jerusalem, it has still unsettled many and created global outrage among them.

Dinner with Edward: Reflections on Shabbat

I’m reading a marvelous book. It’s called Dinner with Edward by Isabel Vincent, and it’s a gift from Marci Atkins. Marci is a member of our wonderful “Wise Aging” group that I am privileged to lead. Privileged, because it is an honor to spend time and learn from these individuals who have so much more hard-won life experience than I. Indeed, it’s not so much that I lead the group as that I convene it.

Surveillance, God and the Thanksgiving Table

This past week, I received a very interesting letter from a 19 year old member, which he has allowed me to share. He went to Neveh Shalom from third to sixth grade culminating in his Bar Mitzvah. After that, though, he grew distant from his Judaism. Part of that distance stems from a philosophical problem he was struggling with.

Volksgemeinschaft: Unraveling the Meaning of Kristallnacht in our Age

It happened on November 7th, 1938. In France. Ernst vom Rath, a German diplomat stationed in Paris, was assassinated by a German Jewish teenager, Herschel Feibel Grynszpan. Grynszpan’s motives are still unknown to this day. Either this was a lovers’ quarrel at a time when homosexuals were routinely killed by the Nazi party, or Grynszpan killed him as revenge for the expulsion of Polish Jews from Germany.

Servant Leadership

Just yesterday, on Thursday, November 2nd, marked the Rabbi Joshua Stampfer Community Enrichment Award Dinner. Each year, the planning committee celebrates and honors youths and adults who have made substantive contributions to our city. We can all take pride in Anna Shapiro, who received well-deserved recognition for her many contributions to the life of Neveh Shalom.

The Shema, Idolatry and Halloween–And Why I’ll Eat My Pumpkins

It would be hard to think of a better known prayer than the Shema. It is one of the first prayers to be taught to children, and it was part of my bedtime ritual with my mother beginning when I was barely verbal. It was always coupled with prayers for my immediate and extended family. Part of its power lies in early memories such as these and there are many similar poignant stories.