We Were Strangers by Cantor Mary R. Thomas
“The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love the stranger as yourself for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Leviticus 19:34) We were strangers. We were on the outside. We were feared. We were maligned. We were not trusted. We were turned away. […]
Double Chai by Cantor Mary Rebecca Thomas
I have a birthday at the beginning of this month. I hadn’t given it too much thought before because it isn’t a milestone and, at a point, birthdays that aren’t milestones seem to become days like the rest. I’ve already had enough non-milestone birthdays as an adult to know that this is true. Milestones are […]
The Final Gift by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
I’m getting old. I feel great and I have a truly amazing life but the comforting layer of family, friends and members of my community who are older than me is thinning. That safe bubble that kept me young because they were the old ones is dwindling. Honestly, it’s a little unsettling. When I look […]
Measuring Success by Cantor Andrew Bernard
When I was in cantorial school in the 90s, there was great consternation and hand-wringing about how “camp music” (used as a derogatory term) represented the dumbing-down of the rich heritage of Jewish music, and would ultimately lead to its demise. After four years of having that dire warning drummed into my head, it […]
Call Me Candace by Candace Naliboff, Director of Member Services
Call me Candace, call me Mrs. Naliboff, call me mom…you can call me anything as long as you don’t call me late to supper. How many of you had a mom who said that to you? I may just be talking to the folks in my age group on this one, but I clearly remember […]
Bright Lights by Dr. Laura Bernstein, Executive Director
Chanukah is a story of miracles and reminds us that light defeats darkness. It’s a story of challenge and a story of hope. This Chanukah I reflect on the number of bright lights in my life and in the life of Temple Beth El. On the personal side, my life is filled with weekly trips […]
Six Months as Your Rabbi: Navigating Protests and Partisan Politics by Rabbi Asher Knight
New rabbis are often given advice. One sage suggestion: steer clear of divisive issues and partisan politics. To be honest, the last six months have not been easy for a new rabbi who is trying to learn the landscape of our congregation and Shalom Park. Between protests over the killing of Keith Lamont Scott, which […]
Contentment by Cantor Mary R. Thomas
Who is the rich one? He who is happy with his lot, as it says, “When you eat [from] the work of your hands, you will be happy, and it will be well with you” (Psalms 128:2). “You will be happy” in this world, and “it will be well with you” in the world to […]
Telling the Story by Susan Jacobs, Director of Education
“Just as Hanukkah candles are lighted one by one from a single flame, so the tale of the miracle is passed from one man to another, from one house to another, and to the whole House of Israel throughout the generations.” — Judah Leon Magnes This is the week that we will pull out all […]
