This week, our President decided that the military will no longer permit transgender people to serve. The suddenness of this policy shift, first announced on the President’s twitter feed, has created uncertainty and confusion for both top military brass as well as for a great many individuals who felt a compulsion to give back to our nation. 

In recent years, we have seen an increase in Jews who choose cremation for their deceased relatives or themselves. Some choose this for economic reasons (our community provides dignified burial for the indigent). There are people who are concerned about land use and worry that over the next two centuries, cemeteries will not be sustainable.

This week’s parashah is Pinchas. The story of Pinchas, and the rabbinic response to his actions, highlight the Jewish capacity to wrestle with morally difficult episodes without yielding to simplistic explanations. The story itself is spread over two week’s readings and is worth a quick recap.

I am eagerly looking forward to this Shabbat for many reasons personal and communal. Here are two. First, I enjoy b’nei mitzvah weekends. Yes, there’s some change in service flow, and yes, there are more moving parts to coordinate. Still, to be a part of our community is to revel in the accomplishments of our youth as they step up to the Torah and lead us in prayer.