Virtual Biennial

I am sad that I am not able to join the over 6000 colleagues, lay leaders and friends in Washington, D.C. this week for the Union for Reform Judaism Biennial.   I haven’t missed a Biennial since the 1980’s!   I was registered to go but we had to scale back our travel and convention…Read more »

It was an Ipad Shabbat

This past Shabbat we had Ipad Shabbat!  I encouraged members to download the new iT’filah app from CCAR Press. (click here to download from itunes) This is an app for Ipad that contains the Shabbat evening Service from The Reform Movement Siddur, Mishkan T’filah.   I led services from my Ipad and several congregants brought…Read more »

Reunion time

Parshat Vayishlach Genesis 32:4–36:43 The “Holiday” Season is upon us.  There are lots of gatherings of co-workers, friends and families. Some of these gatherings will be reunions of sorts.  The people you see only once a year at a cocktail party at a friend’s home. There are the family members who gather for latkes and…Read more »

Pearl Harbor Day

Today is Pearl Harbor Day.  It is the 70th anniversary of that horrible day that shocked a nation and led us into World War II.  We ought to pause today to honor those whose lives were ended so tragically that day and to all those who have lost their lives defending our nation. Those who…Read more »

Working for something-Vayetze

Parshat Vayetze Genesis 28:10-32:3 In this week’s Torah portion our Patriarch Jacob learns the lesson of hard work. He learns the lesson of what it means to earn your keep; to sacrifice for something you want. As the Parasha opens Jacob is fleeing from his brother Esau. Esau, his twin, has threatened to kill him…Read more »

Gratitude Every Day

Thanksgiving Day is here. It brings fond memories of snuggling up with my Dad to watch the Macy’s parade.   I loved to see the balloons pass by; cartoon heroes in 3-D.  Today that isn’t such a big deal as 3-D movies are all the rage. But in the early 1960’s it was magic. Even…Read more »