Let It Shine Let It Shine Let It Shine

For the second night of Chanukah we should think about the idea of “pirsum et haMitzvah”  The commandment to publicize or promote the the lighting of the chanukiah.  Our rabbinic ancestors thought we should place our chanukiah in the window to show and share the light of Chanukah!  Of course there were times in our…Read more »

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance.  Nov. 20.   For the last 18 years this day has been dedicated to the memory of all those transgender men and women who have been murdered because they were hated.  Many transgender people have experienced violence and hatred directly.  Many are victims of society’s misunderstanding of their lives.…Read more »

Laugh Laugh Laugh

Purim is just a couple of days away.  The story of good Queen Esther, who doesn’t really know she is Jewish marries King Ashuereus who is a bit of an oaf.  The Evil Haman, descendent of the arch enemies of the Israelites, manipulates the King into decreeing the death of all the Jews of the…Read more »

Rabban Yochanan Ben Zakkai

Here is a wonderful story of redemption for Tisha B’av Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai Saves Torah Annette Labovitz The three-year Roman siege of Yerushalayim portended doom for Jewish nationalism. The inhabitants of the Holy City were divided; some were wearied from the hopelessness of the situation; others, although refusing to surrender, fought among themselves. Hunger…Read more »

Jewish Roots of Christianity

If you haven’t made plans yet for the festival of Shavuot evening-come study Torah with us at Kol Ami.  This year our Scholar in Residence for our Tikkyn Leyl Shavuot- is Dr. Rabbi Joshua Garroway. Dr. Garroway is an assistant Professor at our Reform Seminary, Hebrew Union College. His specialty is early Christianity and the…Read more »