Kol Ramah

Parashat Mishpatim [Exodus 21:1-24:18] is largely taken up by the Covenant Code. One way to look at the Covenant Code is to see it as the details for which the Ten Commandments, read last week, are, so to speak, the chapter headings. The end of the parashah is narrative, entitled by Sarna in his JPS Commentary on Exodus as “The Renewal of the Divine Promises” and “The Ratification of the Covenant”. It is perhaps fair to say that our conversation meanders between these two foci of law and narrative. Give a listen and let us know what you think. Shabbat Shalom!

Parashat Yitro [Exodus 18:1-20:23] features the organization of the judiciary, prompted by Yitro's suggestion to Moshe on how he could reduce the burden on him, and the revelation at Mt. Sinai, where depending on one's belief system, Moshe received the Torah, the Ten Commandments, or something else. It is hard not to get caught up in chapter 19, which is the description of the revelation itself, preceding the Ten Commandments in chapter 20. What is the purpose of revelation? why on a mountain? how do the various characters -- God, Moshe, the Israelites -- come off? Shabbat Shalom!

Parashat B'shallach [Exodus 13:17-17:16] is the 4th parashah in the Book of Exodus. It features the dramatic crossing of the Sea of Reeds [14:1-31] with the companion poem [15:1-19], and a number of misfortunes: the lack of water, the lack of food, another lack of water [the Exodus story of Moses & The Rock, reprised in Numbers 20:1-13], and the attack of Amalek, which will reverberate through biblical history and beyond. It is a partiuclarly rich parashah in a book that is known to have several. We hope our conversation lives up to the parashah! We take note of the return of the body of Ran Gvili to Israel for a well-deserved dignified burial. This is the first time since 2014 that there are no Israeli hostages in Gaza. It is a time of complex emotional responses, but surely thanksgiving is one of them. We continue to keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom!

Parashat Bo [Exodus 10:1-13:16], which includes the final 3 plagues, also has one of my favorite chapters in the entire Torah. Chapter 12 is read twice a year for those who complete the Torah reading annually, for the first 20 verses are read on Shabbat Ha-Hodesh, the shabbat coinciding with Rosh Hodesh Nisan or just before it, and the final 31 verses are read on the 1st day of Passover. The chapter includes a description of Pesah mitzrayim, the Passover celebrated by our ancestors in Egypt, and Pesah le-dorot, the Passover celebrated in subsequent generations to commemorate that 1st Passover. And there is much else! We continue to keep in our hearts Ran Gvili, the remaining hostage yet to be returned to Israel for a proper, dignifiied burial. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Va'era [Exodus 6:2-9:35] is the second parashah in the Book of Exodus, and a lot happens. Moses returns to Egypt and takes the mantle of leadership, appearing before Pharaoh with his brother, Aaron, his mouthpiece. In one place, God tells Moses, who is concerned about his public speaking deficiencies, that he will be like God, and Aaron his prophet. Very quickly, the text moves through the first 7 plagues, preparing for the denoument next week, with the last three plagues and the Exodus, the actual leaving of Egypt. There is so much to say about this parashah, but we focused on the roles of Moses and Aaron. We were missing Jeremy again this week, who is sitting shivah for his father, Michael Kaplan z”l, who died last Friday and was buried on Sunday. Our condolences to Jeremy and his family. We continue to keep in mind Ran Gvili, who remains the single hostage whose body has not been returned for its much deserved proper and dignified burial. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Sh'mot [Exodus 1:1-6:1] is the first parashah of Sefer Sh'mot [the Book of Exodus]. The book opens up with a quick summary of the end of Genesis, detailing that Jacob and his sons came to Egypt. Very quickly these b'nai Yisrael, the children and grandchildren of Israel, the patriarch Jacob, become b'nai yisrael, the people Israel. In just a few verses, a family three-generation family of 70 becomes a nation of perhaps 2 million and more, and troubles ensue. The parashah is chockful of interesting verses, commentaries, and longer sections. eAs is often the case, we meander through the parashah. We were missing our good friend and colleague, Rabbi Jeremy Kalmanofsky, who is tending to family matters. We hope that you find our conversation sufficiently engaging, even though Jeremy is clearly missed. We continue to keep in mind Ran Gvili, the last remaining hostage in Gaza, and hope and pray his body will be soon returned to Israel for the dignified funeral he and his family deserve. We also have in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Va-yehi [Genesis 47:28-50:26] is the last parashah in the Book of Genesis. It records the end of Jacob's life and the end of Joseph's life. In between we have the adoption of Menasheh and Ephraim, raising them to traibal status, and the elevation of Ephraim over Menashe, even though Menashe is the older. There is also the testament of Jacob [chapter 49], in which Jacob's offers his final words to each of his sons. There is much more, but an abbreviated schedule meant we did not get to everything we might have, had cirucmstances been different. In the meanwhile, best wishes for a Happy New Year. May 2026 be a year of blessing and peace. We keep in mind Ran Gvili, who yet remains a hostage in Gaza, may he be returned to his family, immediately, for a proper, dignified burial. We also have in mind the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Va-yiggash [Genesis 44:18-47:27] is the penultimate parashah in the Book of Genesis. It is hard to believe that it has been well over two months since we began our annual reading in the synagogue! This parashah provides the climax to the saga of Joseph and his brothers, with the big reveal, the reunion of the brothers, now each known to one another, and the reunion of Jacob with all of his sons. We sometimes lose sight of the idea that these stories in Genesis operate on two distinct levels: on one level, they are the stories of individuals in specific family relationships; on another level, they are stories about tribal dynamics, a way of explaining the national drama. We try to address both in our conversation this week. Please leave any comments below. Now well over 800 days into the war, Ran Gvili remains the single hostage who remains in captivity. We continue to pray for his speedy release to his family for a final, dignified burial. We also have in mind the soldiers who defend Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Mi-ketz [Genesis 41:1-44::17] is the second parashah in the extended Joseph saga, which stretches over 4 parashiyot, taking us to the end of Genesis in two weeks. This year, it coincides with Rosh Hodesh and Hanukkah, an occurrence which happens with some frequency. In 1991, this triple Torah header took place on the 50th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, and my senior sermon. It allowed me to begin by noting this was the Jewish version of Torah Torah Torah. I spoke then of the butler's confession, et hatta'i ani mazkir ha-yom, My sins I mention today. The midrash pays attention to the plural, sins, noting that the butler sinned against Pharaoh, which caused him to be sent to jail, and he sinned against Joseph by letting him languish in jail after promising to mention him at the end of last week's parashah. It occurred to me only recently that the butler had in mind his sin against Joseph does not make a great deal sense; what is the value of a public confession when the person sinned against is not even present. Rather, I now think, the butler recognized that his sins against Pharaoh were more numerous than he previously acknowledged. We often see ourselves as more sinned against than sinning, more deserving of being forgiven than forgiving those who have wronged us. In this reading, the butler is more worthy of praise because he is taking on more responsibility, rather than less. Our conversation focused on the character of Joseph, in someways the quintessential diaspora Jew, yearning to be at home and never quite fitting in. He is also one of the more fully drawn characters in the Bible, and his portrait is quite complex. We hope you enjoy it! We continue to keep in mind the one hostage whose body has yet to be returned, may he be returned speedily to his family. We also have in mind the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom. Hodesh Tov. Hag Urim Same'ah.

Parsha Talk Vayeshev Rabbi Kalmanofsky 2025 5786 by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

Parsha Talk Vayeshev Rabbi Malomet 2025 5786 by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

Rabbi Eliezer Diamond was a distinguished scholar, a deeply respected spiritual leader, and a transformative interpreter of the Talmud. For more than 35 years, he taught Talmud and Rabbinics at JTS, retiring only about a year ago. Generations of students were profoundly influenced by his passionate and insightful teaching. His writings on prayer, asceticism, rabbinic storytelling, and environmental law and ethics have left a lasting mark on the Jewish world. In the summers of 2006 and 2007, Rabbi Diamond hosted the show "Eli the D with Music for you and me" on radio Kol Ramah. In honor of Rabbi Diamond, we share these shows again.

Rabbi Eliezer Diamond was a distinguished scholar, a deeply respected spiritual leader, and a transformative interpreter of the Talmud. For more than 35 years, he taught Talmud and Rabbinics at JTS, retiring only about a year ago. Generations of students were profoundly influenced by his passionate and insightful teaching. His writings on prayer, asceticism, rabbinic storytelling, and environmental law and ethics have left a lasting mark on the Jewish world. In the summers of 2006 and 2007, Rabbi Diamond hosted the show "Eli the D with Music for you and me" on radio Kol Ramah. In honor of Rabbi Diamond, we share these shows again.

Rabbi Eliezer Diamond was a distinguished scholar, a deeply respected spiritual leader, and a transformative interpreter of the Talmud. For more than 35 years, he taught Talmud and Rabbinics at JTS, retiring only about a year ago. Generations of students were profoundly influenced by his passionate and insightful teaching. His writings on prayer, asceticism, rabbinic storytelling, and environmental law and ethics have left a lasting mark on the Jewish world. In the summers of 2006 and 2007, Rabbi Diamond hosted the show "Eli the D with Music for you and me" on radio Kol Ramah. In honor of Rabbi Diamond, we share these shows again.

Rabbi Eliezer Diamond was a distinguished scholar, a deeply respected spiritual leader, and a transformative interpreter of the Talmud. For more than 35 years, he taught Talmud and Rabbinics at JTS, retiring only about a year ago. Generations of students were profoundly influenced by his passionate and insightful teaching. His writings on prayer, asceticism, rabbinic storytelling, and environmental law and ethics have left a lasting mark on the Jewish world. In the summers of 2006 and 2007, Rabbi Diamond hosted the show "Eli the D with Music for you and me" on radio Kol Ramah. In honor of Rabbi Diamond, we share these shows again.

This recording is from the Radio Kol Ramah archives 2012. If you were curious which music our scholar-in-residence listens to, you will not want to miss this episode of Rabbi Eliezer Diamond's weekly radio show on Kol Ramah 102.3 FM. Featuring music of Debbie Friedman, Doc Watson and the Band.

Songs In the Key Of Peace & Harmony. Featuring The Town & Village Synagogue Choir, T&V Junior Singers and Teen Singers, Scott Stein, Piano. Special Guests: The Coral Torah Collective - Featuring the Music of Cantor josh Ehrlich

Parashat Va-yishlach [Genesis 32:4-36:43] features Jacob's reunion with Esau, but not before his fateful encounter with the mystery combatant, sometimes identified as Esau's guardian angel, sometimes with Jacob himself, and sometimes as some other figure. Jacob reunites with his father ever so briefly, ever so cryptically, at the end of chapter 35:27. There is also the horrific assault on Dinah, Jacob's only daughter. There was a lot to talk about, including the various family relationships highlighted in this parashah and elsewhere in Genesis. We hope you enjoy it! We continue to keep in mind the two remaining hostages, may they be returned speedily to their families. We are also mindful of the men and women defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Va-yetze [Genesis 28:10-32:2], my Bar Mitzvah (BC) portion, crams over 20 years of Jacob's life into a single parashah. And what an eventful 20+ years. Jacob leaves Beer-sheva for his uncle Laban's home, meets his cousin Rachel at the well, agrees to work for 7 years to marry her; agrees to work another 7 years to marry her after Leah was substituted for Rachel at the wedding, sires 11 of his 12 sons and his daughter Dinah, works another 6 years to acquire flocks of his own, and decides to return to Canaan. A half hour hardly seems to do justice to the richness of this parashah! We are mindful of the remaining hostages in Gaza, may they be speedily returned. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. A belated Shabbat Shalom as this is posted after the parashah has already been read in the synagogue. My apologies.

Parashat Toldot [Genesis 25:19-28:9] features Isaac, the middle patriarch. The toldot [“generations” or “story} belong to Isaac; but the far more interesting character is Rebecca, so we devote most of our time to exploring her character. Perhaps the most famous story in the parashah is Jacob's acquisition of the blessing, about which it might be said that Rebecca, alone of the four participants in the drama, gets what she wants. On the other hand, she loses everything, in a sense, including a death notice. Give a listen and let us know what you think! We continue to have in mind the remaining hostages, dead in Gaza, who should have been returned to Israel long ago. May they be speedily returned to their families. We are also mindful of the men and women defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Hodesh Tov. Shabbat Shalom. May the coming lights of Hanukkah illumine bring light to the world.

Parasashat Hayei Sarah [Genesis 23:1-25:18] begins with the death of Sarah and the acquisition of the Cave of Machpelah as a burial place for her. The cave will become the burial place for all the patriarchs and matriarchs save for Rachel, who is buried elsewhere. By far the longest chapter in Genesis, chapter 24 describes how Rebekah became rhe wife of Isaac. Chapter 25 provides the details of Abraham's marriage to Keturah and their subsequent offspring; the death and burial of Abraham; and the genealogy and death of Ishmael. One way to look at this parashah is as the emergence of Isaac as the 2nd patriarch, for at the end of the parashah he is the only male left standing. Our conversation mostly focused on the always engaging chapter 24. With the return of another body to Israel, 3 hostages remain in Gaza. We continue to keep them in mind as we continue to pray for their speedy return to Israel. We also have in mind the men and women defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Va-yera [Genesis 18-22] is one of the richest parashiyot in the Torah. Chapter 18 features the angels coming to announce the birth of Isaac, chapter 19 the conversation between God and Abraham about the fate of Sodom and Gemorrah, chapter 20 the second wife-sister story featuring Abraham and Sarah, this time with Avimelech, chapter 21 the banishment of Hagar and Ishmael, and chapter 22, the binding of Isaac. We took as a prompt verse 18:33 from the conversation [actually the verse just after the conversation concluded] and one from the binding of Isaac [22:19], which is the conclusion to that story. We discussed them in-depth as we tried to come to an understanding of the character of Abraham. As always, we are interested in what our listerners and viewers think of our ideas, so please feel free to respond below. This past Sunday, the body of my former student, Captain Omer Maxim Neutra z”l was returned to Israel, where he will be buried on Friday morning, Israel time. While this marks the end of this ordeal for his family and friends, we continue to keep in mind the remaining hostages who remain in Gaza, may they be speedily returned to their families. We are also mindful of the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. We recorded on 11/04/25, the 30th anniversary of the murder of Yizhak Rabin, note of which must be taken. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Lech L'cha [Genesis 12:1-17:27] is the third of the parashiyot in Sefer Bereshit [Book of Genesis]. It has long been recognized as the beginning of our Jewish journey, though Abram [who is renamed Abraham in the parashah] is never identified as a Jew. He is Abram the Ivri, the Hebrew, which might be understood as Abram, the descendant of Eber, or Abram, the one who stood over and against the world with his proclamation of monotheism in a world of pagan worship. Our conversation focused on the opening verses, with God's charge to Abraham. What is the force of the phrase ve'h'yeh b'rakha, be a blessing [12:2]? What is Abraham's mission? We also compared him with Sarah, about both of whom the Torah records that they laughed in response to the news about an impending pregnancy. What kind of laughter was it? What does it teach us about Sarah and Abraham, not only as individuals, but as marriage partners? This is a particularly rich parashah [which probably could be said about all the parashiyot in Genesis], but what distinguioshes this, perhaps, is the number of discrete scenes. We continue to keep in mind the hostages whose remains are still in Gaza. May they be returned swiftly to their families for a final, dignified, funeral. We are also mindful of the men and women defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Noah [Genesis 6:9-11:32] is the second parashah in Sefer B'reshit [Book of Genesis]. It largely consists of the Flood story, which has been unwoven by modern Bible critics who convincingly show, to some, that the story is the weaving together of two discrete and sometimes contradictory accounts. Our focus was on the character of Noah, and what to make of him. At the end of last week's parashah he is described as one who found favor with God. At the beginning of this week, he is described as a “righteous man; blameless in his age; [who] walked with God” [NJPS]. What do these terms mean? How does Noah compare with Adam and with Abraham? Before we knew it, our time was up! We continue to be mindful of the remaining hostages, no longer among the living, who yet remain in Gaza. May theY be returned to their families no! We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may the be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

After many summers at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, we began Parashah Talk again the week after Covid shut down so much of the country in March 2020. In October, 2025, we begin our sixth year of the Torah Cycle. We spend some time talking about the epochal moment in which the remaining living hostages were returned home to Israel. We also discuss the importance of Parashat B'reshit [Genesis 1:1-6:8] and what that mean for our understanding of God and the God of Creation. Give a lesson and let us know what you think! Though the living hostages have been returbned, we continue to be mindful of those whose bodies have yet to be returned for a proper and dignified burial. May God protect those who defend Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, and remove them from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

(Excerpts from Rabbi Barry Chesler - full comments at kolramah.us) Fifty-two years ago this past Thursday on the Jewish calendar, war broke out in Israel as soldiers from Egypt and Syria crossed the borders established by the 6-Day War into Israel. On the holiest day of the year, Israel was attacked. That year the Book of Life was inscribed with the blood of Israel's soldiers, and Yom Kippur has never been quite the same. Fifty years and two days later on the English calendar, war again broke out in Israel with the invasion of Hamas terrorists into Israel, murdering indiscriminately over a thousand people: Israelis and non-Israelis, Jews and non-Jews, civilians and soldiers. This time the holy day was Sh'mini Atzeret/Simhat Torah in Israel, Sh'mini Atzeret in the Diaspora, the culmination of זמן שמחתנו [z'man simhateinu], the season of our rejoicing. This year, October 7 falls on the first day of סוכות. Such are the vagaries of the Jewish calendar. Let us find away to rejoice, to celebrate, even with tears, for that is our sacred task, to keep going. Let us, as we entered יום כיפור [Yom Kippur], pray that we find ourselves on a path for the coming year that brings us closer to God and closer to each other. עם ישראל חי [am yisra'el hai] [The people of Israel live] Syosset, NY 10/07/25 טו תשרי תשפ"ו [15 Tishri 5786]

Parashat Nitzavim [Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20] is the last parashah of 5785, and consequently the last Parashah Talk of the year. We will be next recording after Rosh Hashanah [September 22-23, 2025]. There are only two weekly readings left in Sefer Devarim, the Book of Deuteronomy, with the last parashah reserved for Simchat Torah [October 15, 2025]. In our conversation we explored the meaning of circumcision of the heart, comparing it with the physical circumcision of b'rit milah. As befitting our last episode of the Jewish year, we also discussed Rosh Hashanah and what blessings we would hope for. We continue to keep in mind the hostages, both the dead and the living, may they be returned to their families immediately. We are also mindful of the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah U'm'tukah. May the coming year be one of return, one of healing, and one of peace. If this comes to pass, our wish for a sweet new year will be achieved.

Parashat Ki Tavo [Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8] features, among other things, the lengthy curses [Deuteronomy 28:15-68] known as the tokhehah [Warning]for Israel's failure to follow the terms of the covenant. There is a parallel text in Leviticus 26 as well. There are blessings, too, but these are much fewer, perhaps reflecting the human tendency to gloss over our good fortune but itemize our bad fortune. It is to redress this, perhaps, that Rabbi Meir says that one must recite 100 blessings every day, in order to truly appreciate God's gifts to us. The parashah also has the famous passage Arami Oved Avi [My faterhs was a fugitive Aramean, Deuteronomy 26: 5-11]. In the Torah, this passage is associated with the holiday of Shavuot, the holiday of first-fruits, whereas the rabbis make it the heart of the Passover Haggadah. We take up this interplay between the rabbis and the Bible in our discussion. We also discuss the difference between comings and goings, and goings and comings. We have now passed the 700-day mark of the captivity of the hostages. We continue to be mindful of them, the living and the dead, and insist that they be speedily returned to their loved ones. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. This Saturday night marks the beginning of the recitation Selihot, penitential prayers, as we move closer and closer to the High Holy Days. May the coming year of 5786 be a year where dreams are fulfilled and peace is established. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Ki Tetze [Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19] has more commandments than any other single parashah, 74 of the 613. While the laws do not all seem necessarily connected, perhaps they fit under the rubric of the title of one of Spike Lee's movies, Do the Right Thing. We discussed some of these laws, some of which stand out because they do not correspond with our modern, though not necessarily less Jewish, morality; others because they seem designed to govern our morals and ethics, pushing us to more of the right thing given that we do not always start with the correct action. Before one knows it, the half hour or so is up, and we move on to the rest of our lives, which will include, God willing, Parashah Talk next week! As we near the 700-day mark, a number that staggers the imagination, we continue to keep in mind the hostages, both the dead and the living, and the imperative that they be returned immediately to their families. We are also mindful of those defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Shoftim [Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9. The parashah features a discussion of the 4 primary biblical leaders: jkidges., prophet, kings, levitical priests. Each has a claim to be a bearer of the divine word, though it is not clear that any of them recognize the claim as legitimate in the others. It raises the question: how do we compare our leaders in the Jewish community today with their ancient analogs. Give a listen, and let us know what you think! We continue to be mindful of the hostages, both the dead and the living, who have yet to be restored to their families. Let us not forget that there is no good cause that justifies such abominable behavior. We also have in mnd the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Re'eh [Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17] begins the lengthy section [11:31-26:15] which Jeffrey Tigay entitles “The Laws Given in Moab” in his JPS Torah Commentary: Deuteronomy. We were so taken by the first verse that we devoted our entire conversation to it. You will have to read on your own to find out about the rest of the parashah! We continue to be keep in mind the hostages, both the living and the dead, who remain in Gaza, may they be returned speedily to their families. We are also mindful of the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Parashat Ekev [Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25] features, among other things, the 2nd paragraph of the Shema [Deuteronomy 11:13-21] and the verse at the heart of the 2nd blessing of the Grace After Meals [Deuteronomy 8:10]. In his opening remarks Eliot suggested that this parashah is more about thinking than about doing, leading to a consideration of whether Jews think differently than other people. This was the point from which our conversation took off. Please let us know what you think, either here, as a comment, or through conventional e-mail at parshatalk@gmail.com. We continue to keep in mind the hostages, both the dead and the living, may they be speedily returned to their families. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.

Get to know our "Campers Together" as they visit Radio Kol Ramah

More talk and Music with Bogrim Kayitz 2025

Talk and music with Bogrim

Talk and music with Ntzanim

Rotem welcomes Nitzanim to Radio Kol Ramah for a great music and talk show

Parashat Va-etchanan [Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11] is always read on Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat after Tisha B'Av, so named because nachamu is the first word of the haftarah [Isaiah 40:1-26]. It seems appropriate that the Shabbat we come out of our commemoration of the death and destruction associated with Tisha B'AV that our Torah reading includes both the first paragraph of the Shema [Deuteronomy 6:4-9] and the Ten Commandments [Deuteronomy 5:6-18]. It is not too much to say that these two texts are foundational to Judaism, and that we best mark the turn from Tisha B'Av towards consolation and the upcoming High Holy Days by recommitting ourselves to them. Our conversation focused on the metaphor of the כור ברזל [kur barzel, translated as iron blast furnace, in the NJPS translation] for the first twenty minutes or so. We then shifted to a consideration of comfort, the theme of the haftarah. We continue to keep in mind the hostages, dead and alive, may they be speedily returned to their families. We are also mindful of those defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. May all who are hungry find the necessary food for survival and nourishment. Shabbat Shalom.

Food talk by Nitznim - Rave reviews for kitchen staff!!

Heartwarming (and very cute) visit by Chaverim to Radio Kol Ramah!

Cantor Silverstone visits Rotem and Ta'am the studio and talks about the history of camp when he was a camper at CRB!

Parashat D'varim [Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22] is the opening parashah of the Book of Deuteronomy. Having reached the eastern border of the Promised Land, Moses addresses the people for the last time in a series of discourses, culminating in his death alone atop the mountain, to be buried by God in a place unknown to any human. We spent over half our conversation discussing Moses as prophet and leader at this particular time in his life, and what he had to say to his people as his life comes to its conclusion while the people ready themselves to begin their lives anew in Israel. In the remaining time we discussed the haftarah [Isaiah 1:1-27]. This Shabbat, the one preceding [and this year immediately preceding] Tisha B'av, observed Saturday night and Sunday, August 2-3, 2025, is called Shabbat Chazon, the Shabbat of Vision, after the first word in the Book of Isaiah. It is the third of the three haftarot of admonition, which will be followed by the 7 haftarot of consolation. We continue to keep in our hearts and minds the hostages, dead and alive, who remain in Gaza, may they be speedily returned to their families. And we hope and pray that the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces be removed from harm's way. Finally, echoing the words of the Haggadah of Passover, may all who are hungry come and eat. Shabbat Shalom.

Bunk A17 Nitzanim stops by the Kol Ramah studio to visit Rotem and tell us all about life at camp!

Bunk A14 Tzeirim stops by the Kol Ramah studio to visit Rotem and tell us all about life at camp!

Bunk A10 Tzeirim stops by the Kol Ramah studio to visit Rotem and tell us all about life at camp!

Today we hosted the Camp Together program! Teens from Isreal are joining Camp Ramah and are here to tell us about themselves and their experiences.

Parashat Mattot-Massei [Numbers 30:2-36:13] is a double parashah which concludes the Book of Numbers. It is one of the longest readings of the year, even for those who use the triennial cycle. Our focus this week was the curious story about the tribes of Gad and Reuven, and the half-tribe of Menashe. As the Israelites' forty-year journey is coming to an end, with the entrance into the Land of Israel imminent, these tribes, blessed with much cattle and flocks, decide they want to stay east of the Jordan. How to unpack this story? Give a listen! We continue to be mindful of the hostages being held in Gaza, both the living and the dead, may they be speedily returned to their families. We also keep in mind those defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov [the month of Av, which marks the 11th yahrtzeit of my father, Mel Chesler z”l, is this Shabbat].

Join us for the nitzanim show! We invited our hofa'a staff for a visit, and they told us all about their work on the musicals at camp. Featuring: Arielle , Raviv , Naama Yael, Hazel and Annabel . And our staff: Rotem Shimony with Stacy Greenblatt, Jojo Adams and Mika Sayag.

Parsha Talk Pinchas - a Kayitz favorite

Listen to our guests from bunk a10! A live recording from 7/17 with tzeirim campers telling us about themselves and choosing some fun music:) Featuring Adin, Micah, Jona, Noam, Wesley, Seymour, Louis, Liaml, Asher, Charlie, Nolan, Ben.

Parashat Balak [Numbers 22:2-25:9] primarily tells the tale of Balaam the seer, who is commissioned to curse the Israelites, of whom Balak is deathly afraid. Balak's plan does not go as planned, as God has other plans for Balaam, one of which involves the famous talking donkey, a precursor to the perhaps more famous Mr. Ed. According to the rabbis, the mouth of the donkey was created on the eve of the first Shabbat, late in the 6th day of Creation, suggesting that already imbedded in Creation was this talking donkey in order to remove the donkey from the realm of the supernatural. Most of the parashah is taken up with Balaam's four oracles about Israel, concluding with three oracles against the nations. Of particular interest to synagogue goers is Numbers 24:5, which has been incorprorated into the liturgy as the Mah Tovu, the first verse of a paragraph recited upon entering the synagogue for prayer. It is quite striking that this line is uttered for the first time by a non-Jew. The Parashah concludes with the first half of the story about the apostasy at Baal Pe'or. The Israelite men are seduced by Moabite women, which occasions a plague on the Israelite population, which is only stayed when Pinchas, the grandson of Aaron the High Priest, kills one such couple [the man is identified as a member of the tribe of Simeon and the woman as a Midianite] in flagrante delicto. This story will be concluded at the beginning of next week's Parashah, which is Parashat Pinchas. We continue to be mindful of all the hostages who remain in Gaza, the dead and the living, may they be restored to their families immediately. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as part of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm's way. Shabbat Shalom.