Podcasts about Temple Sinai

Last year, the 2024 UJA Walk With Israel was tinged with pain, coming just months after the Oct. 7 massacres and being marred by intimidating anti-Israel protesters. But participants at this year's event, held on May 25, felt a strong sense of Jewish pride and confidence, and refused to allow protesters to spoil the day—raising $1.4 million along the way, $200,000 more than last year. The 56th annual fundraiser was held under heavy security, coming just four days after a gunman, yelling “Free Palestine,” shot two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. With that news still fresh in people's minds, thousands of police and security officers were on hand, officials told The CJN, and there were noticeably fewer protesters than the year before—just one arrest, compared to six arrests in 2024. Toronto police arrested one man at the event, charging him with mischief and causing a disturbance, after he was heard hurling antisemitic threats. But while the event went off mostly smoothly, attendees questioned why the police created “designated protest areas” on both sides of the last major intersection before the finish line, forcing the record-breaking 56,000 participants to pass through a gauntlet of pro-Pro-Palestinian yells and chants, along with smoke bombs. The CJN Daily‘s host Ellin Bessner brought her microphone and managed to stay dry despite the torrential downpour that drenched participants at the afterparty. On today's episode, you'll hear from Omri Kohavi, a survivor of the Nova music festival and Ilan Faktor, a music producer; Jesse Brown, who brought the Nova exhibition to Toronto; Rabbi Michael Dolgin of Temple Sinai, whose synagogue hosted the starting line for the walk; newly-elected Conservative MP for York Centre, Roman Baber; Steven Del Duca, the mayor of Vaughan; Melissa Lantsman, the deputy Conservative leader and re-elected MP for Thornhill; Matthew Taub, a community advocate; and Toronto city councillor Shelley Carroll, who chairs the city's Police Service Board. Related links Read how the City of Toronto's bubble legislation will keep protests 50 metres away from Jewish buildings, and come into force on July 2, in The CJN. Learn more about the exhibit about the Nova music festival now showing in Toronto until June 8, in The CJN. Learn more about the Tribe of Nova Foundation, which helps survivors and bereaved families of Nova victims. Credits Host and writer: Ellin Bessner (@ebessner) Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Andrea Varsany (producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer) Music: Dov Beck-Levine Support our show Subscribe to The CJN newsletter Donate to The CJN (+ get a charitable tax receipt) Subscribe to The CJN Daily (Not sure how? Click here)

The first Israeli hostages and Palestinian political prisoners have been released and Gazan exiles have begun returning to their war-ravaged communities after the Israel and Hamas ceasefire deal went into effect Sunday. After 15 months of brutal war, the ceasefire has brought much relief but also uncertainty about whether it will last and under what terms. We talk about what the ceasefire agreement means and what could happen next. Guests: Omar Dajani, professor of law, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law; board member, A Land For All; former senior legal advisor, Palestine Liberation Organization's Negotiations Support Unit Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, senior rabbi, Temple Sinai, Oakland Janine Zacharia, lecturer, Stanford University; former Jerusalem Bureau Chief and Middle East correspondent, Washington Post Andrew Roth, global affairs correspondent, The Guardian Sam Hindi, former mayor of Foster City, member of the Palestinian American Coalition-San Francisco

At this time of year, it's easy to forget that not everyone in New Zealand celebrates Christmas. Hundreds of thousands of New Zealander don't observe the religious holiday. This year, December the 25th holds special significance for the Jewish community - it's the first day of Hanukkah. Joining me now is Abby Bachhalter. Abby is part of the lay leadership team at Temple Sinai - the Progressive Jewish Congregation in Wellington.

It has been one year since the Hamas-led attack in southern Israel, in which more than 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 hostages taken. Nearly 100 hostages, including American citizens, remain in captivity according to the Israeli government. The war in Gaza, which has killed 41,500 people and has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis, continues. This hour of Forum, we will hear from Bay Area Jews as they reflect on this past year and how it has affected their relationship with Israel, Judaism and their friends and neighbors. Guests: Jessica Kirschner, rabbi and executive director of Stanford University Hillel Jacqueline Mates-Muchin, senior rabbi, Temple Sinai, Oakland

Send us a Text Message.Episode 469- Finding Faith in Recovery: Rabbi Michael Perice's Story of Redemption and ServiceJoin me and Rabbi Michael Perice, who have an inspiring discussion about the his journey. Michael's  story is incredible and one you won't want to miss. As a nationally recognized rabbi in the addiction and mental health space, Rabbi Perice is making a profound impact on the lives of individuals seeking to overcome addiction. Rabbi Perice:Began recovery from opioid addiction in 2011Ordained at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2020Served as senior rabbi at Temple Sinai in Cinnaminson, New JerseyAppointed senior rabbi at Beit T'Shuvah, a Los Angeles-based addiction recovery community, treatment center, synagogue, and educational instituteNationally recognized rabbi in the addiction and mental health spaceAdvises non-profits, major health institutions, and congressional legislators on addiction and recovery issuesSpeaks at synagogues, medical schools, and community spaces to raise awareness and access to addiction treatmentUses his own story of recovery to inspire others and reduce the stigma around addictionRemember to reach out to your doctor prior to getting sober. Be sure to connect with Busy Living Sober! Patreon: https://patreon.com/busylivingsoberpodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLinkFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/busylivingsoberpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/busylivingsober YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethchance  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@busylivingsoberwithec X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BusyLivingSober   Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/elizabethlchance/busy-living-sober/     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethchance/ Sign up for email updates: http://eepurl.com/iDtRnw  For more information, feel free to reach out to me at elizabeth@elizabethchance.comIf you want to reach Rabbi Michael Perice Email: pericemichael@gmail.comLinkedIn:    https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-perice-49b96159/   Instagram:  Michael Perice (@rabbimichaelperice)Thanks for listening! Always remember, you're not alone! Remember you can reach out to me at elizabeth@elizabethchance.com You are NOT ALONE I PROMISE! Wishing you a happy, happy!Love, Elizabeth aka Bizzy

Joyce welcomes Rabbi Daniel J. Fellman, Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, to the show. They will discuss the healing process after the tragic event that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 27, 2018. Rabbi Fellman will also discuss what they are doing at Temple Sinai to be more inclusive of the Jewish population of people with disabilities and share the purpose of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) and how it was celebrated in February.

Joyce welcomes Rabbi Daniel J. Fellman, Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai, in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, to the show. They will discuss the healing process after the tragic event that took place at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 27, 2018. Rabbi Fellman will also discuss what they are doing at Temple Sinai to be more inclusive of the Jewish population of people with disabilities and share the purpose of Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance & Inclusion Month (JDAIM) and how it was celebrated in February.

The interview took place in April 2023 at Temple Sinai here in Denver. The discussion focused on my book . The living characters of the book are from my family, so having them in the audience was a bit surreal. 

The war raging between Israel and Hamas continues to take a staggering toll. About 1,200 Israelis were killed and 230 were taken hostage on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants attacked Israel, according to Israel's Foreign Ministry. In response, Israel has mounted a relentless bombardment and ground invasion that has claimed the lives of 1 of every 200 Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, and displaced two-thirds of the population.U.N. Secretary General António Guterres has called for a cease-fire and said that Gaza was becoming a “graveyard for children.” Gazan health officials report that 4,600 children have already been killed in the war.   This conflict has reverberated around the world and throughout the Green Mountains of Vermont. Rallies, marches and vigils have taken place around the state, some that are pro-Israel, others that are pro-Palestinian or that simply call for a cease-fire. Protesters recently disrupted a Burlington fundraiser for Rep. Becca Balint, demanding that she back a cease-fire.On this Vermont Conversation, we hear the voices of Vermonters speaking out about the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Host David Goodman spoke with Rabbi David Edleson of Temple Sinai in South Burlington who just returned from Washington, D.C., where he joined a national rally supporting Israel; Wafic Faour, a Palestinian who is a member of Vermonters for Justice in Palestine; Grace Oedel, a rabbinical student who works with the American Jewish organization IfNotNow that is calling for a ceasefire; and Faud Al-Amoody, vice president of the Islamic Society of Vermont, about the impact of the conflict on Vermont's Muslim community and rising Islamophobia.Faour said of Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, “I wasn't surprised that something (was) going to happen at one point or another. Gaza (has) been living under a complete siege and (been) an open air prison for the last 17 years.” Faour said he had a “conflicting feeling” about current events. “I had the sadness (about) what's happening over there and my opposing any kind of violence in general, but in another hand, a hope that something better will come out of it.”Edleson said that Israel's assault on Gaza, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 11,000 Palestinians according to Gazan health officials, “at least in the near run, it makes Israeli civilians safer. I'm very concerned in the long run that you're just creating more extremism and that that does not make Israel safer.”More than two-thirds of Americans support calls for a cease-fire, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week. Edleson dismissed talk of a cease-fire. “I think it's ridiculous,” he said. “I think a cease-fire right now is like calling for a cease-fire on D-Day in World War II. You know, war is tragic. But sometimes you have to take the momentum while you have it. It's a terrorist organization. It moves around very quickly. I don't think a cease-fire would do anything.”Oedel disagreed. “I am calling for a cease-fire unequivocally right now. I believe that we have a moral and ethical obligation to try to do whatever we can to protect human life.”“I cannot and will not abide immoral violence being done, which is overwhelmingly affecting children and innocent civilians in the name of keeping Jewish people safe,” she said.Al-Amoody said many Vermont Muslims are refugees from war-torn countries and are afraid to speak out about the war. He said there is a double standard, where expressing sympathy for Palestinians means "you are supporting the terrorists.""I cannot even talk about humanity, our moral compass," he said. "I can't even come out and say: this is wrong. People getting killed is wrong on both sides."Oedel said that people caught up in the conflict are desperately searching for safety. “I believe that safety can look like solidarity,” she said of why she stands with those calling for a cease-fire. “We are all safe when we are all safe.”

Listen as I invite Rami to provide his own explanation of non-dual Judaism and how it works in a world as challenging as ours is right now. You can also watch the video of this interview by visiting Temple Sinai's youtube page here: https://youtu.be/4NmfG3nFPLw

Steve Harper Interviews Rabbi Barry L Weinstein Rabbi at Temple Sinai -- BARRY.WEINSTEIN38@GMAIL.COMhttps://onlineradiobox.com/search?cs=us.pbnnetwork1&q=podcast%20business%20news%20network&c=ushttps://mytuner-radio.com/search/?q=business+news+networkhttps://streema.com/radios/search/?q=podcast+business+news+network

With Rosh Hashanah in the near past and Yom Kippur on the horizon, it's time for Canadian Jewry's most important annual event: the Great Canadian Sermon Slam, hosted by Bonjour Chai. Just like last year, we're bringing you sermons from rabbis across the country to face off with their best sermons, speeches and spiels while vying for the grand prize: the Kiddush Cup. This year, you'll hear from rabbis from across the country, including... Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, Temple Emanu-El—Beth Sholom, Montreal Rabbi Dan Moskovitz, Temple Sholom, Vancouver Rabbi Jordan Shaner, Temple Sinai, Toronto Rabbi Steve Wernick, Beth Tzedec, Toronto Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl, Kehillat Beth Israel, Ottawa Rabbi Adam Cutler, Adath Israel, Toronto Rabbi Ilana Krygier Lapides, Beth Tzedec, Calgary But to kick things off, Avi Finegold talks to guest co-host Rabbi Dr. Rachael Turkienicz, the spiritual leader of Beit Rayim in York Region, and our inaugural Sermon Slam winner. Credits Bonjour Chai is hosted by Avi Finegold and Phoebe Maltz Bovy. Zachary Kauffman is the producer and editor. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Socalled. The show is a co-production from The Jewish Learning Lab and The CJN, and is distributed by The CJN Podcast Network. Support the show by subscribing to this podcast, donating to The CJN and subscribing to the podcast's Substack.

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5784. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5784. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5784. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5784. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

This week, I'm joined by Cantor Micah Morgovsky, also of Temple Sinai. We had such a great conversation about the letter that this episode is a bit longer but worth every minute of listening.

Rabbi Linda Motzkin of Temple Sinai in Saratoga Springs is passionate about her work as a Rabbi and a Torah scribe, a parchment maker and an artist! When Rabbi Linda entered 2 of these fields, being a woman was far from common! Marsha Lazarus reported for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Ben Ben Chimol, 17, is the youngest person we have profiled on The CJN Daily‘s Honourable Menschen series, where we pay tribute to prominent members of the Canadian Jewish community who have recently passed away. The Grade 12 teen, who died of cancer in Winnipeg in early December 2022, was a budding artist and beatboxer. His family and classmates have created a memorial fund through the city's Jewish high school that will help other students pursue their passions. In this edition of Honourable Menschen, CJN journalist emeritus Ron Csillag joins to share the stories and accomplishments of a gallery of creative Canadians in the arts and entertainment world: Ontario painter and singer Mendelson Joe, who went public with his decision to use medical assistance in dying after struggling with Parkinson's disease; composer Ben Steinberg from Temple Sinai in Toronto; Eleanor Koldofsky, who helped build Sam the Record Man into a retail success before branching out to form her own record company; Montreal painter Roslyn Swartzman; and Lanny Poffo, a professional wrestler whose accomplishments were overshadowed by his older brother, “Macho Man” Randy Savage. What we talked about Learn more about Ben Ben Chimol and donate in his memory Read about artist and teacher Roslyn Swartzman in The CJN Check out Mendelson Joe's canvases and songs on his website Credits The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We're a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here.

Rabbi Alex Lazarus-Klein came to Buffalo in the Fall of 2008 to serve as the rabbi of Temple Sinai, now called Congregation Shir Shalom. He brings warmth, creativity, and compassion to the role of synagogue rabbi. A trained chaplain and gifted teacher, he is actively engaged in all aspects of communal life, from helping people with their everyday struggles, to intricate details of synagogue governance. Rabbi Alex is a respected leader in the Buffalo area, serving on many local boards including the Buffalo Board of Rabbis, the Network of Religious Communities, Jewish Family Services, the Bureau of Jewish Education, the Jewish Community Center, and the Coalition of Economic Justice. He is currently serving as president of the Network of Religious Communities. He is also on the national board of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association out of Wyncote, Pennsylvania. He works with leaders of all faiths, to improve the quality of life in Western New York and beyond. A 2004 graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College he also holds Masters's and Bachelor's Degrees from the Jewish Theological Seminary, as well as a Bachelor's degree from Columbia University. Before coming to Buffalo, he served as rabbi of Temple B´nai Abraham in Bordentown, New Jersey, and directed the Community Partnership Program for the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. He currently resides in Amherst, with his wife Ashirah, and three young children, Jarah, Boaz, and Noam.  Listen to this insightful Whinypaluza episode with Rabbi Alex about how he helps guide his congregants through the highs and lows of all the stages of their lives. Here is what to expect on this week's show: How Alex became a Rabbi and why it is his true calling. How Rabbi Alex guides people through the cycles of their lives and how he helps his congregants through stress and hard times. Special guidance he gave during covid times, and how he saw amazing things despite the added stress. Removing expectations from outsiders drastically reduces your stress when planning special events, like a bar/bat mitzvah. How he approaches guiding and supporting couples when they need help connecting and working at their relationship. Grief comes in many forms, and Rabbi Alex has helped many people through myriad situations. Having his own family, Rabbi Alex can give sage advice for parents. How does he manage all the things he does in a day, on top of having a family? Rabbi's Advice: You aren't here to be superhuman. You are here to be human. What resonates most with him about Judaism. How can we contribute to creating a world with more acceptance and love. Why he wrote a book and how he hopes to help others. How to fit your religious commitments into your kids' busy lives. The impact of removing guilt from your life. Advice on navigating the ever-present Christmas season, when you are Jewish. Connect with Rabbi Alex: https://shirshalombuffalo.org/ Twitter https://twitter.com/ShirShalomBflo Facebook https://www.facebook.com/experiencejewishbuffalo/ Going Above and Beyond https://www.amazon.com/Going-Above-Beyond-Exceeding-Expectations-ebook/dp/B09SVJM469 Follow Rebecca Greene Blog  https://www.whinypaluza.com/ Book  https://bit.ly/WhinypaluzaBook Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/whinypaluzaparenting Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becgreene5/ @becgreene5 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whinypaluzamom?lang=en @whinypaluzamom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A discussion with Temple Sinai Atlanta's Rabbi Emeritus Phillip N KranzIn 5783 (2022/3) Rabbi Natan will continue to moderate the podcast as we focus on the theme of Amazing Jewish Journeys. You should expect to hear some familiar voices from your clergy, as well as some of the amazing staff and lay leaders that help keep Temple Sinai so vibrant and relevant. Whether from clergy, staff, or congregants, there are some incredible stories of Jewish perseverance, faith and adventure, stories that provide wisdom and inspiration for our own lives. Join us wherever you are as we dive into some diverse Jewish learning by elevating our own Jewish journeys. 

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5783. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5783. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5783. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5783. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

Join Rabbi Natan and Temple Sinai's clergy for some soulful inspiration for these days of Elul preceding the High Holy Days of 5783. Each reflection will end with the sounding of the shofar. Shana tova u'metukah!

As regular listeners know, the format of the Renoites podcast is generally long form interviews lasting about an hour. I really like this format because it lets me get into more substantive discussions and learn a lot. This episode is a little different, and is the second of 5 bonus episodes recorded at Northern Nevada Pride on 7/23/22 in Reno, Nevada. At the festival, I set up a mobile recording studio with big comfy chairs and invited friends, former guests, folks from various nonprofits, and even a couple passersby to sit down and record quick interviews to share what they do and the things that matter to them. Each of these five bonus episodes will contain a handful of mini interviews. I'm very grateful to everyone who took some time to sit down and chat at the festival and am excited to share these conversations with you. Bonus Episode 2 features: Rabbi Benjamin Zober from Temple Sinai, the largest Jewish congregation in Northern Nevada, to talk about religious inclusion and building a better world, and his hopes for more affirming religious groups to have a presence at Pride in the future. Daniel Rothberg from The Nevada Independent about his reporting on environmental issues like water availability and how it interacts with Reno's rapid growth. Daniel is also starting work on writing a book about this topic, so look for it in a bookstore near you (eventually). Jackie Shelton stopped by to talk about the Cordillera Film Festival which just took place this last weekend in Reno and featured a huge selection of films from around the world including many that hope to qualify for Oscar contention, as well as her work with Northern Nevada Marches Forward, an expansion of the annual Women's March to provide learning and activism opportunities throughout year. Christina Phillips, a brand new employee with Planned Parenthood talked about the challenges women face in finding reproductive health care, the work Planned Parenthood does to provide not just abortions but routine examinations and screenings, and the gratitude we have to live in a state like Nevada that protects abortion rights. Mercedes Krause is running for the US House of Representative in Congressional District 2 which covers almost the entire northern half of the state. She talked about the reasons she is running for office, the intersecting needs of the indigenous communities and rural communities in Nevada, and much more! Willie Puchert is the President of the Sons and Daughters of Erin, Northern Nevada's local Irish heritage club. The organization attends community events, recently restored 18th century graves of Irish settlers in Virginia City, hosts an annual St. Patrick's Day dinner and more. Thank you so much for listening! This is the second of 5 bonus episodes. I hope you enjoy this change of pace and different format. Let me know what you think at conor@renoites.com 

Do you want to have a long-lasting vibrant relationship? In this segment, Dr. Bruce Chalmer & Judy Alexander shares the seven-word formula ("Be kind, don't panic, and have faith") for couples' therapy. We also get into the needs for stability and intimacy, and how they require different skills. See video here - https://youtu.be/lMiyA0vjDcA WHO IS BRUCE & JUDY? We're Dr. Bruce Chalmer and Judy Alexander, a married couple living in Vermont. Bruce has been helping individuals, couples, and families in private practice for over thirty years. His practice is now focused on couples. Bruce's other notable interests include musical composition, performance, and choral directing. Bruce is the author of "Reigniting the Spark: Why Stable Relationships Lose Intimacy, and How to Get It Back." Judy recently retired after 23 years as education director at Temple Sinai, a Reform Jewish congregation in South Burlington, Vermont. Previously, she was a classroom teacher, and was also an award-winning advertising copywriter. She is also a playwright, with several of her plays having been produced at theater festivals. Judy and Bruce have five adult children, and a delightfully increasing collection of grandchildren! BRUCE & JUDY'S CALL TO ACTION Be kind, don't panic, and have faith Podcast website: https://ctin7.com Dr. Bruce Chalmer's website: https://brucechalmer.com GENESIS'S INFO https://genesisamariskemp.net/ CALL TO ACTION Subscribe to GEMS with Genesis Amaris Kemp Channel, Hit the notifications bell so you don't miss any content, and share with family/friends. **REMEMBER - You do not have to let limitations or barriers keep you from achieving your success. Mind over Matter...It's time to shift and unleash your greatest potential. If you would like to be a SPONSOR or have any of your merchandise mentioned, please reach out via email at GEMSwithGenesisAmarisKemp@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/genesis-amaris-kemp/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/genesis-amaris-kemp/support

Rundown -    Rabbi Raymond Zwerin - 03:32   Troubadour Dave Gunders - 01:16:31   "Good to Believe" by Dave Gunders - 01:25:38   Rabbi Raymond Zwerin's 85th Birthday Speech - 01:30:58   Private Investigator Jeff Kass - 02:04:40   Rabbi Raymond Zwerin remains very much alive at 85. Ordained as a Rabbi in 1964, he founded Denver's Temple Sinai, served many decades, and helped create our Colorado Babi Yar Memorial. Past and present atrocities near Kiev against Jews and others are remembered. Rabbi Zwerin reminds us of the sad plight of Jews in the USSR during the 1960's.   Listen to Rabbi Zwerin get rough on Russia and Putin now. Call his nuclear bluff. Understand the eternal battle for freedom which is the Exodus story from Egypt which we recount on Passover.  Rabbi Zwerin is the author of many books including “Forty Years of Wondering” chronicling his best sermons, and a novel, “Holy Fire.”   For his 85th birthday, Rabbi Zwerin gave a beautiful poignant speech explaining what he wanted to be when he grew up. It turns out he wanted to be an engineer but that's not the correct answer. Find out the right answer and whether the Exodus story and heaven are real.   Troubadour Dave Gunders' special Passover song, Good to Believe, fits perfectly with the theme of Rabbi Zwerin's birthday masterpiece. A Passover competition is heating up over which Seder brisket is going to turn out tastier.   Jeff Kass is the accomplished author of Columbine – a True Crime Story. At this week of the year, we remember the massacre that rocked Colorado and our world on April 20, 1999. As a reporter working for the Rocky Mountain News and others, Kass was dispatched to the scene and stayed on the story for more than a decade.   Now also a Colorado licensed private investigator, Jeff Kass corrects many misperceptions about Columbine and calls to task the Jefferson County government for its disinformation campaign to the detriment of the victims. Understand the truth about Columbine and how it still rocks our world on Passover 2022.   The Craig Silverman Show, every Saturday morning at 9 a.m. Colorado time!

This week, Rabbi Iggy is joined by Rabbi Michael Perice, the Senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Cinnaminson, New Jersey who made waves in 2021 when he opened up about his opiate addiction recovery journey. They discuss the defining moments of life, how we recognize and honor them, and the expansive impact they can have.Together, these two spiritual leaders open up about ripple effects of their advocacy and vulnerability - and uncover how important (and common) their stories actually are.

“Hanukkah is not always right around Christmas... yet the two holidays have kind of become analogous to one another in the US.”— Rachel GreenblattIn an atmosphere where Christmas steals the spotlight and occupies the airwaves, can Hanukkah find appreciation as a meaningful holiday that explores multiple powerful themes relevant to our modern world?Does the religious fusion practiced by interreligious families (such Chrismukkah celebrations) dilute the meaning of both holidays or create a new space for deepened faith?And does the practice of gift giving take away from the intended meaning of Hanukkah?This episode of the Living Jewishly podcast is an instalment of What Would You Do?, a podcast about Judaism and ethics. Dr. Elliot Malamet and guests Rachel Greenblatt and Jeffrey Goldwasser investigate the ethics of our approach to winter holidays, how we can hold onto our religious identities while integrating new traditions, and where to find balance in the rise of holiday consumerism.The guests for this episode are Rachel Greenblatt, a digital culture editor at Insider, and Jeffrey Goldwasser, the spiritual leader of Temple Sinai in Cranston, Rhode Island. “There's no doubt that Hanukkah gift giving has become a more significant marker of the holiday.”— Jeffrey GoldwasserThis‌ ‌episode discusses:‌ ‌✔  Why and how gift giving became such an important part of Hanukkah — and the role that Christmas has played in this✔  How to hold onto our identity and navigate the integration of new traditions into our holidays✔  Why it's important to tie the teachings of Hanukkah into how we experience our modern world ‌  Highlights:‌ ‌00:51  Intro03:13  Rachel Greenblatt & gift giving05:32  Bringing more joy to the holiday09:19  Shift to a more “fun” Judaism11:58  Consumerism & compensation13:35  Navigating identity17:28  Jeffrey Goldwasser & gift giving20:11  Holidays & capitalism22:48  Hanukkah & the modern world25:24  December dilemma28:50  Interreligious families & inclusion37:07  Identity, dating & pressure46:44  OutroLinks:‌ ‌ To get in contact or learn more about Living Jewishly:  Visit‌ ‌our ‌website: https://livingjewishly.org  Follow us on Instagram: @living.jewishly  Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO2YEegjapKpQeXG6zh6tzw   or send us an email at hello@livingjewishly.org.    Shalom!

Rabbi Michael Perice, senior rabbi of Temple Sinai, Cinnaminson, New Jersey, discusses his calling to the rabbinate and his decision to reveal to his congregation his successful battle for recovery from substance abuse. [Read more...] The post Seekers of Meaning 10/15/2021: Rabbi Michael Perice, Temple Sinai, Cinnaminson, NJ appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.

In this bonus episode, actor, author, poet, director, screenwriter, narrator of films, and Zen Buddhist priest Peter Coyote talks about Buddhism, the "JewBu" phenomenon, the distinction between suffering and affliction, the limitations of language, the True Self, why it's so difficult to speak about attachment, the creative process, and his newfound passion for poetry.  This conversation was organized and underwritten by Rabbi Severine from Temple Sinai in Newport News, Virginia.    www.third-story.com www.patreon.com/thirdstorypodcast www.petercoyote.com/

Introduction to Temple Sinai Atlantas new monthly podcast. Hosted by Rabbi Natan 

Rabbi Jeffery Goldwasser from Temple Sinai in Cranston joined Gene to discuss Rosh Hashanah.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shmuel Rosner and Rabbi Joseph Meszler discuss his book: "Readings from Tractate Rosh HaShanah in the Babylonian Talmud: A Personal Journey through the Holiday."   Rabbi Joseph B. Meszler is the spiritual leader of Temple Sinai in Sharon, MA. He is a congregational rabbi, an educator, a progressive Zionist, and a human rights activist.   Follow Shmuel Rosner on Twitter.

Rabbi Michael Perice is the Senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai of Cinnaminson located in New Jersey. In 2015, Rabbi Perice was named one of the top 20 emerging leaders in the Southern New Jersey region for his rabbinic work. He is also a noted orator and public speaker.Prior to Temple Sinai, Rabbi Perice completed a unit of clinical pastoral education at Einstein Medical Center, where he served as Hospital chaplain during the Covid-19 pandemic.Rabbi Perice is known nationally for his advocacy work on addiction and mental health. He publicly shared his own story of recovery from opioid addiction in 2021. He is committed to ending the stigma of addiction in the United States.This is a gripping special Rosh Hashanah / Yom Kippur episode of Thought and Leaders that will take you to a world of murder, drugs and ultimate redemption.If you would like to sponsor Thought and Leaders, please  DM us or email ask@thoughtandleaders.comShanah Tovah!(52 minutes listening time)

We're live! (Well, we taped before a live audience!) Check out our discussion of communication (it's still not about communication!), sex, intimacy, and other topics, with provocative and personal questions from our audience. Thanks to Temple Sinai in South Burlington, Vermont for hosting this event. Send in your questions: email us at bruce@brucechalmer.com, or just visit brucechalmer.com. We'd love to hear from you! And let us know if you'd like to be interviewed on the show! Visit brucechalmer.com/podcast for more information. Dr. Chalmer's book Reigniting the Spark: Why Stable Relationships Lose Intimacy, and How to Get It Back is available here, or wherever you get your books. Like this podcast? Review us, like us, follow us, and do all those other kinds of wonderful things to us! It helps people find the show. Music: Besamim (Spices) by Bruce Chalmer, performed by Fyre and Lightning Consort

On this edition of Clean and Sober Radio, host Gary Hendler's guest is  Rabbi Michael Perice. Rabbi Perice is the spiritual leader of Temple Sinai in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Addiction knows no boundaries. Recently Rabbi Perice disclosed during a Zoom call with his congregation that he has been in recovery from prescription pain killers for over a decade. Addiction doesn't discriminate against anyone. Whether you have money or not. It doesn't care what your religious beliefs are. Even if you are a spiritual leader, like Rabbi Perice - it just doesn't care.

Guest – Reesa Manninghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/reesamanning/Reesa Manning was a former Vice President and Senior Financial Advisor at UBS Financial Services for 12 years. Prior to her career in financial services, she founded Southern California based, 140 store franchise, Penguin's Frozen Yogurt. She served as president of the nonprofit, 2000-member National Council of Jewish Women in Los Angeles for three years and was past president of the Desert Cities Chapter of NAWBO (National Organization of Women Business Owners) and Women Leaders Forum of the Coachella Valley. She resides in Rancho Mirage with her husband and currently serves on the Board of Temple Sinai and The Springs HOA. She is a firm believer in women's empowerment and financial literacy.Host – Teresa Mitchell, CFPladymoneyllc@gmail.comIn my 20 years in the industry, I have had over a thousand conversations with women who have not felt they have reached their financial potential – usually in the areas of investing and subsequent financial security. I have found the key to moving forward from the image of bag lady to empowered lady is having a different kind of conversation with women than they usually experience with a financial advisor. It is about focusing more deeply on what matters in terms of family, community and life purpose. Approaching the conversation with compassion and a goal of honest, authentic connection creates a sense of trust that makes financial education and taking investment action not only possible but desirable.To that end I left my longtime wealth management firm and am launching a personal financial coaching platform -- LADY MONEY, LLC. It is intended to help women achieve a sense of financial wellbeing around investing for retirement that imparts peace of mind and ultimately leads to financial security.  

Welcome to the Be.Side Project, an exploration of where the end of life and Judaism intersect.In this episode I speak with Dan Fendel a death doula, a spiritual care volunteer, and an active member of the Jewish community teaching about jewish end of life practices and making conversations about dying approachable.---------------------------Dan Fendel is the co-founder of the Chevrah Kadisha at Temple Sinai, he has been a Spiritual Care Volunteer at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland since 2014, and is a leader of the Melaveh project.Dan is also a Board member for Kavod v’Nichum, a North American organization providing resources, education, and training along the Jewish end-of-life continuum, and a faculty member and Acting Dean of Kavod v’Nichum’s online educational program, the Gamliel Institute. He has also co-authored several books.Resources:The Melaveh Project and the article I stumbled into about the projectKavod V’Nichum We Remember Them by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack RiemerThe poem Dan referencesChesed Shel Emet: The Truest Act of Kindness, Exploring the Meaning of Taharah by Rabbi Stuart Kelman and Dan FendelHebrew and Jewish references explained:Bikur Cholim: Hebrew for “visiting the sick”Nechama: Hebrew for comfort, a nechama group might be a group of people providing comfort to community membersChevra Kadisha: Aramaic in origin is the term for Jewish burial societies, also translated as “holy friends” or “sacred society”Melaveh: Hebrew for “one who accompanies”Shiva minyan: Shiva is hebrew for “seven” and is the week-long period of mourning after a burial. A minyan is the term for a group of 10 Jewish adults who gather to pray. As certain prayers can only be said in a quorum of 10, the minyan is brought to the mourners.Elohai neshama shenatati bi tahorah hi: From the morning prayers. It translates to “My God, the soul you have given me is pure”. You can read where it comes from in the context of the text here and also there’s a beautiful reflection on the text from My Jewish Learning. Get on the email list at besideproject.substack.com

On Jan. 5, 2020, Miriam and Dan embarked on a seven-and-a-half-year journey simultaneously with tens of thousands of people across the world. Their collective quest? To participate in Daf Yomi (literally “daily page”), the ongoing daily sequential study of the Babylonian Talmud. Does studying one page of Talmud each day seem easy to you? Pardon Miriam and Dan while they laugh and cry hysterically. The Talmud is a multi-generational codification of Judaism's oral Torah, with crammed analysis, deep thought and frequent whiplash-inducing non-sequiturs from an enormous cast of rabbis discussing everything—and we do mean everything—of significance to Jews of the post-Temple era. It's a window into the daily lives of our ancient ancestors in Judea, the Galilee and Babylonia. With one year of Daf Yomi behind them, Miriam and Dan talk to two dynamic Talmud experts, Rabbi Avi Killip and Rabbi Avi Strausberg, both of Hadar. Tune in for a lively discussion that is—just like the Talmud—inspiring, fascinating, entertaining (just wait until you hear Rabbi Strausberg's brilliant haikus!), deeply weird and even profoundly NSFW. (Really. Some passages of this episode are R-rated.) If you've always wondered what the Talmud says, or perhaps are a Daf Yomi participant yourself, this is the episode for you! Rabbi Avi Killip is Hadar's vice president of strategy and programs. A graduate of Hebrew College Rabbinical School, Rabbi Killip also holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Brandeis University. She was a Wexner Graduate Fellow and a Schusterman Fellow. Rabbi Killip teaches as part of Hadar's faculty and is the host of Responsa Radio (https://www.hadar.org/torah-collection/responsa-radio). Rabbi Avi Strausberg is director of national learning initiatives at Hadar. She received her rabbinic ordination from Hebrew College Rabbinical School, is a Wexner Graduate Fellow and holds a master's degree in Jewish education. Rabbi Strausberg served as a rabbinic intern at Congregation Kehillath Israel and Temple Sinai in Brookline and also worked as a chaplain intern at Hebrew SeniorLife. Energized by engaging creatively with Jewish text, she has written several theater pieces inspired by the Torah and maintains a Daf Yomi haiku blog (https://inhaiku.wordpress.com), in which she writes daily Talmudic haikus. Resources mentioned in this episode: Project Zug's class on “Talmudic Personalities: Get to Know the Rabbis”: https://www.projectzug.org/course/3343/talmudic-personalities-get-know-rabbis Hadar's Virtual Beit Midrash winter programming: https://www.hadar.org/virtual-beit-midrash Rabbi Killip's “Siyyum on Massekhet Eruvin” (“Expanding the Boundaries of Home”): https://www.hadar.org/torah-resource/expanding-boundaries-home Edited by Jesse Ulrich, with music by Ryan J. Sullivan.

Happy Hanukkah! On this week's episode of In Sumter with Sarah Jane premiering on the first night of the Jewish Festival of Lights, SJ sits down with Diana Roof, the site manager from Temple Sinai Jewish History Center and wearer of many more hats (like cemetary tour guide!!) . Diana walks us through the foundational story behind the holiday and explains some of the traditions that go along with it. Be sure to follow Sarah Jane Sumter Realtor on Facebook and @Sumter_Realtor on Instagram for more updates on the show!In Sumter with Sarah Jane is a part of The Item Podcast Network proudly presented by SKF Sumter — Welcome to the world of reliable rotation. To apply today, go to SKF.com

Lauren Belferder, Carly Namdar, Dina Newman and Phreddy Nosanwisch were recipients of the 2020 Robert M. Sherman Young Pioneers Award. Lauren Belferder is the Director of Youth Engagement at Temple Sinai of Roslyn on Long Island. Carly Namdar is the Director of Middle School Guidance at Hebrew Academy of Long Beach (HALB). Dina Newman is the Associate Director for Youth and Teen Engagement at Congregation Rodeph Sholom on the Upper West Side. Phreddy Nosanwisch teaches spiritual technologies and Hebrew School at CSAIR in The Bronx. They discuss their work, how they have adjusted their educational practices because of Coronavirus, and share their philosophies of Jewish Education. Learn more about Lauren, Carly, Dina, Phreddy, and Jonathan Shmidt Chapman, who was unable to join the show, here. Access the shownotes for this episode and watch the LIVEcast recording here. This episode was recorded on  June 24, 2020. Adapting is produced in partnership with  jewishLIVE. Learn more about  The Jewish Education Project.

From the 9am Sanctuary Service

A Progressive Jewish conversation on theodicy Host: Rabbi Tanya Sakhnovich of Nottingham Liberal Synagogue Guests: Rabbi Miriam Berger, of Finchley Reform Synagogue; Rabbi Neil Janes, of South Bucks Jewish Community; and Rabbi Malcom Cohen, of Temple Sinai in Las Vegas, Nevada

Malcom Cohen, Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Las Vegas, Nevada

Mark’s great friend, and the Rabbi who officiated at his wedding, Rabbi Matthew Reimer, joins him on the podcast this week. A native of West Orange, NJ, Rabbi Reimer was ordained in 2007 by Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, and has served as Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai in New Orleans, the Rabbi for The Shul of New York, the Interim Rabbi for Port Jewish Center in Port Washington, LI, and Assistant and then Associate Rabbi at Temple B’nai Jeshurun in Short Hills, New Jersey. He has chosen Exodus 3:11 to discuss with Mark today. Matt begins the discussion by offering his advice regarding seeking truth especially in relation to that fateful ping-pong match, and then sharing the context of today’s passage and a summary of the passage itself. He and Mark then engage in an analysis of being fully present, showing up with humility, and Moses’ choice of noticing what others don’t. They also explore the nature of leadership, its relation to humility, and the concept of God and Moses in covenant with each other. As is the tradition, the podcast finishes with our guest sharing the lessons he has learned about mankind through his experiences. Listen in today to enjoy an episode where the level of insight and wisdom shared is rivaled only by the level of friendship and respect that is so warmly displayed between our host and guest. Episode Highlights: Matt’s advice regarding seeking truth particularly as it relates to a historic ping pong match Today’s passage and its context Being able to be fully present Moses noticing what others don’t What it means to show up with humility God and Moses in covenant with each other The nature of leadership The lessons about mankind which Matt has learned Quotes: “There is this idea that Moses is inviting us to think about what it means to show up, what it means to be present.” “It’s the all-present here.” “I will be with you.” “God doesn’t answer Moses’ question, he answers Moses’ real question.” “The audacity of the assignment cannot be overestimated.” “Know Before Whom You Stand.” “There is a place for leadership to be not just chosen, but also taken.” “Leadership can manifest itself in lots of different ways.” “Always be happy and do good things in this world.” “Always be yourself, unless you’re a schmuck, in which case be somebody else.” Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and free the Israelites from Egypt?” https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.3.11?lang=bi&aliyot=0 Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: http://therabbishusband.com/ Mark’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/markgerson?lang=en

Rabbi Alan J. Katz has served as Senior Rabbi of Temple Sinai in Rochester since 1986. He retired on June 30, 2020 and became Rabbi Emeritus. A graduate of Lehigh University and Hebrew Union College where he received an MAHL (1975), rabbinic ordination (1976) and a Doctor of Divinity (2001). He also studied in the graduate program for pastoral counseling at Iona College for two years. Rabbi Katz has served on numerous community activities including The Greater Rochester Martin Luther King Jr, Commission, The Interfaith Forum, Board of The Hickey Center for Interfaith Study and Dialogue, the Commission on Christian Jewish Relations and the Commission of Jewish Muslim Understanding and is presently on the steering committee of the Levine Center to End Hate. Rabbi Katz was a signatory and a participant in drafting of the Rochester Agreement between the Roman Catholic Diocese, the Jewish Community Federation and the Rochester Board of Rabbis. In this episode Rabbi Katz discusses the framework in which he has counseled congregants and families that combines traditional helping skills such as deep listening and positive regard with an intimate understanding and knowledge of Jewish teachings and values. Known for his groundbreaking work in the world of interfaith relationships, we will explore how the skills required to create change on a societal level emanate from an understanding of The Helping Conversation.

In his sermon, “Standing at Sinai,” given at Temple Sinai in Los Angeles to honor his father at his “second Bar Mitzvah,” his 83rd birthday, Rabbi Cosgrove enacted the fifth commandment, honoring his father and mother by speaking of the influence their Judaism had on his own Jewish values and choice of career. He charged all parents and all synagogues to take and share responsibility for passing Jewish heritage on to the next generation.Park Avenue Synagogue seeks to inspire, educate, and support our membership and listeners towards living passion-filled Jewish lives. Through spirited prayer, study, observance and acts of kindness we aspire to foster deep connections with each other, our Torah, our God, the people and State of Israel and our shared humanity. More information available at www.pasyn.org or follow us @parkavesyn or https://www.facebook.com/parkavenuesyn

2019 Annual Meeting Rector’s Annual AddressFebruary 9, 2020Good morning, church! And welcome to the one hundred and seventy-first annual meeting of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Brookline. This is my 11th Annual Address as your rector. And, as is my practice each year, I want to start by reminding you how much I love you, and how much I love being your rector. Let me state, once again, that it is a privilege to walk your journeys of faith with you and I am humbled by your faithfulness and your trust.I do not wish to subject you to a reading of the Annual Report. I hope you read the digital version emailed to you this week. If you didn’t get a chance to, please do. You will be amazed -- even those of you who have been here for years will be amazed -- at the breadth and the depth of ministry happening in and from this place.I do want to take this opportunity to make sure you know who our ministry leadership team is. These are the people with whom you should talk if you are curious about what God might be needing you to do next in this place. If my math is correct, though I’m sure my count is incomplete, we are blessed with over 26 ministries at St. Paul’s led by over 30 members of the community.As I read your name, please stand and wave. Let’s hold our thunderous applause until the end.Personnel Committee Ouida Foster Altar Guild Sharlene Wing and John Ferguson Chalice Bearers Maryann KurkjianFlower Guild Maureen CarterHealing Prayer Steve Morrissey Lectors Michael Scheffler Ushers Sam Scott Eucharistic Visitors Maryann KurkjianPastoral Care Team Maryann Kurkjian and Kate Kelley Stewardship Stephen Morrissey and Leah Rugen Yard Sale Steve Estes-Smargiassi Be an Angel Paul Daigneault B-Safe/B-Ready Piper Trelstad and Kate KelleyMinistry Outside the Parish Matshai Motimele and Tim Hintz Mission Sundays Melissa DullaPrison Ministry Leahanne Sarlo Gardens Julie Starr Archives Pat Dunbar Education for Ministry Leah Rugen and Linda Sanches Scripture Group Leah Rugen Church School Teachers Julie Starr, Janet Rankin, Andrea Brue, Jason Fairchild, Chris Dulla, Maria O’MearaHospitality Alan Fried Knitting Group Maureen Carter Greeters and Newcomers Melissa Dulla, Leah Rugen, and Ayanna McPhail Yoga Martha CurtisCentering Prayer Ann ColageoThank you to our ministry leaders. And our Vestry, led this past year by our Wardens Julie House and Brett Foster. If you were on the Vestry this past year, please stand and accept our gratitude.And, finally, our staff. This group of people we ask to work miracles each and every day. Our nursery staff, our section leaders, our finance administrator Christine, our sexton James, our Parish Administrator Jill, our Director of Music and Organist Andy, and the best clergy team a rector could ask for; our Deacon Pat, our Curate Isaac and our Associate Rector Elise. Let’s hear it for our staff.So many people to thank, and so many more of you who showed up and made 2019 at St. Paul’s another year to remember.2019 was yet another year in which God stretched us, stretched me, in new and unexpected ways.The budget certainly captured our attention. Three years ago we made the decision to use a chunk of our endowment to match funds raised from the congregation for the renovation of the lower level, parish offices and backyard. This might just be the year that work is completed!This decision was made carefully and with the understanding that the increased income from a lower level tenant would exceed the draw we would have taken on that amount. And then our grand tower proved jealous of the attention our lower level was getting and required urgent repair to the tune of $700k. Rather than shrinking before the challenge, we decided to meet it; and meet it we have.Over the past three years, our deficit at the end of the year has ranged from 48K in 2017, to 72K in 2018 and 33K in 2019. This year, we are projecting to cut that by 2/3rds with a projected deficit of about 10K. I am so proud of the work the budget committee has done to get us here, under Brett Foster’s rigorous leadership. It hasn’t been easy and tough conversations needed to be had, but I stand before you this morning feeling like I can look each one of you in the eye and promise you that each and every dollar you have entrusted to us for the work of God in this place is being stretched to its limits and not a penny is wasted. Transparency and trust has always been at the core of our financial leadership. If you want to know more about how your finances are being managed, please speak to Brett. He’d be more than happy to talk with you. I mean, way more than happy to talk with you.And the even better news in all of this is that we have the power and the opportunity to erase that projected 10K budget gap before we’ve even closed the books on February. If you haven’t yet submitted a pledge card, I ask you to seriously consider it. More than a financial commitment to the work of the parish, it is one way of saying “I’m in” to the values we hold and the ministry we share. No pledge amount is too small or not needed. And if you have submitted a pledge form, I ask you to have a real conversation and spend time in real prayer about whether there might be room to stretch your pledge.Why would I ask you to do such a thing? Because I believe we are making a difference. I have proof. And because I believe there has never been a better time to be the church, or to be St. Paul’s Brookline.There is a scripture passage that has been on my mind and in my heart these past few months, and it keeps popping up, which is usually God’s way of getting my attention.It comes from the book of Esther. It’s a great story, and tells the story behind the Jewish festival of Purim. But, in brief, Esther is queen and secretly Jewish. Her uncle Mordacai discovers a plan made by the king’s right hand man to kill anyone who is Jewish and begs Esther to intercede on her people’s behalf.Esther is afraid. She is not supposed to take audience with the king unless summoned, an offense punishable by death, and she is afraid to tell the king that she is Jewish.Her uncle Mordacai pleads with her and asks her this question:Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for a time such as this?That’s a great question for the church. Maybe it is exactly a time such as this that the church is needed most.And it’s a great question for St. Paul’s. I have every reason to believe it is for a time exactly like the times in which we live for which St. Paul’s might exist.And it’s a great question for each one of you. Maybe this is exactly the time in our community’s life for which you are needed the most, maybe now is the time for which God brought you here.This is the time. As Jesus reminds us in this morning’s Gospel, we have a calling to be salt and light in a world losing both its flavor and its vision. St. Paul’s continues to be salt and light.As racism and oppression continue to stain our national life, our Anti-Racism Group is choosing to go deeper in unpacking racism and white supremacy through their participation in Sacred Ground. Salt.This fall, Elise, Pat, Jocelyn Collen and Leahanne Sarlo brought the sacrament of the body of Christ to women at the South Bay correctional facility. It was the first time most of them had seen a woman preside at the altar. Light.As anti-semitic and anti-muslim rhetoric and violence feels increasingly common, we invited our Muslim neighbors to come and share their story with us. Light.We participated in the first ever Brookline Interfaith Service in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Temple Sinai. Salt.These are not small things. As individual acts they might not change the world, but they go along way to make sure the world does not change us. Our longing to be in closer relationship with God continues to grow. This past year we started three new ministries meant to feed our Spirits; to keep us salty and burning bright.We experimented with “Eat, Pray, Work” during lent, offering a daytime monastic-like co-working space. Our first Education for Ministry class began in the fall with 11 participants and two co-mentors. Ann Colageo and Isaac began our new Wednesday morning Contemplative Prayer Group.2019 was a year that St. Paul’s continued to live into Frederick Buechner’s concept of vocation, or calling. He writes, “Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world's greatest need.”How blessed are we that our greatest joys as a community is exactly what the world needs right now.When we committed to repairing the tower, one of the most convincing arguments I heard was from a long time parishioner who reminded me, reminded us, that this place; the buildings, the ministries, the spirit of this place, we are the stewards of all of it.Those who have come before us, those whose names surround us etched in granite, they have passed it on to us for a time. And we will, one day, pass it on to those who will come after us. It is our job to care for it and all it represents with all the love and courage that it demands.But we are not meant to leave it just as we found it. God needs us to leave this place better than we found it; healthier than we found it, more robust than it was when it was given to us. We are meant to leave it saltier and more filled with light than it ever has been.God needs us to push this place and the people in it to be no less than a glimpse of Kingdom that God dreams for us to be.And that is what this next year is for. Each year, a new gift, a new opportunity for us to ask, as a community and individuals where God needs us next, where God needs you next. This will be a year that tries the fabric of our country. This will be a year that demands we remember who we are, whose we are and who God needs us to be. We will not all vote for the same candidate, we will not all vote for the same party. We can, however, show the world, show each other that we can love one another as fiercely as we disagree with each other. We can show the world, in ways big and small, what it means to be a people who can most easily be described for the love we have for one another, and for the ways we love and care for the least, the lost and the lonely.We can be salt in a world losing its flavor and we can be light in a world losing its vision.People of St. Paul’s, may 2020 be exactly the time for which we were made. AMEN.© 2020 The Rev’d Jeffrey W. Mello

Episode 21 - A Book Talk at Temple Sinai in Washington DC.

Special Episode with Rev. Rob Schenck: What’s Gone Wrong with American Evangelicalism? Recorded LIVE from Temple Sinai in Washington, D.C., Rev. Rob Schenck touches on the crisis in American evangelicalism – specifically looking at one point of failure within his religious community that Bonhoeffer also addressed in Germany under the reign of Adolf Hitler.

Prepare yourself for a different kind of show this week. Ross shares with Jono the story of a beautiful synagogue in the town where he lives. He tells the story of Temple Sinai Synagogue, built in 1901, how he came to utilize the building for several years, the circumstances of his leaving, and how it will be used again to teach Torah every Shabbat! Don't miss, Temple Sinai Synagogue! Israel on My Mind 24OCT2019 - PODCAST

Mixed-race families are becoming more and more commonplace, as evidenced by everything from The Pew Research Center's data to the latest Census reports. In this episode, we continue to talk about the experiences of those who come from mixed-race families, like Katie Bullard and Jesse Chen. Katie Bullard, who is Chinese, lives with her parents, both white, and her younger brother Jacob, who is Vietnamese, in Brevard, North Carolina. Her two older siblings, Gio and Jessie, are both mixed-race and also adopted. Bullard graduated with a degree in English from Guilford College in 2017, and hopes to soon teach English abroad. Jesse Chen is a DJ from Hartford, Connecticut. He is Asian and white as well as Jewish, and has worked at Temple Sinai as a song leader and URJ Eisner Camp as a camp counselor. He currently works at Powerstation Events. This episode was produced by Julián Esteban Torres López, Aïcha Martine Thiam, and Nicole Zelniker. Please follow The Nasiona on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for regular updates: @TheNasiona https://thenasiona.com/

This week, I welcome the massively talented Beth Schafer all the way from Atlanta to Jewish Songwriter and we talk about her composition "History Will Ask."  As always, you can listen to all of the compositions from this season on the Jewish Songwriter Playlist on YouTube and Spotify.  Beth Schafer continues to redefine Jewish music by combining masterful songwriting with sensitivity to liturgy and unique insight toward text. She specializes in music for Torah-minded adults looking for an extension to their Jewish lives through music. What makes her music special is her attention to the universal themes that not only define Judaism, but many other faiths as well. Her 7 CDs of original Jewish music have become favorites in synagogues as well as churches and spiritual radio stations of many denominations. The title song to her CD Build That Bridge, was written and recorded with “Still the One” singer, Larry Hoppen, and was released in 2007. In 2009 she released her first acoustic rock album, Raise It Up Bring It Down-a combination of her secular and spiritual writing which was met with critical acclaim.  In 2015, Beth became the Bunzl Family Cantorial Chair at Temple Sinai in Atlanta. There, she fuses her love of liturgy and music production skills into creating dynamic worship experiences for the 1400+ family, URJ flagship congregation.  Beth loves being a mom to her daughters, Hannah and Sarah,  and her dog, Chester. Beth's YouTube Page Beth's Spotify Beth's FacebookBeth's Website  This week's episode was brought to you by Bandzoogle which makes it easy to build a stunning website for your music in minutes.  Click here to try it free for 30 days and get 15% off the first year of your subscription.

This episode features three speeches delivered at a March 31 commemorative event at Washington’s Temple Sinai, to honor Israeli novelist Amos Oz, an icon of Israel’s peace movement. Oz died last December at the age of 79. The event was organized by J Street. APN was among the co-sponsors. The first speech is the keynote speech by Fania Oz Salzberger, Amos Oz’s daughter. The second is by J Street’s president Jeremy Ben Ami. The third is by Natalie Portman, who brought to the screen Amos Oz’s autobiographical novel, A Tale of Love and Darkness. For a full video recording of the event click here.  Write to me at: onir@peacenow.org

Michael White is a senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Roslyn, NY. He joins our Gita class to talk about the role people of faith bring to social activism. -------------- gitawisdom.org/podcast

Michael White is a senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai in Roslyn, NY. He joins our Gita class to talk about the role people of faith bring to social activism. -------------- gitawisdom.org/podcast

The Tikvah Podcast is back and better than ever. We went back to the drawing board, and are excited to let you know that in the coming weeks, we’ll be bringing you interviews with Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Danny Danon, National Review’s Jonah Goldberg, the Hudson Institute’s Michael Doran, Temple Sinai’s Rabbi David Wolpe, and many more incredible guests. We are also pleased to announce a brand new partnership with the best publication of Jewish ideas anywhere, Mosaic. If you enjoy the Tikvah Podcast, we hope you’ll subscribe on iTunes, Stitcher, or Google Play, and that you leave us a five-star review. If you would like to send us your thoughts on the podcast, ideas for future guests and topics, or any other feedback, you can send us an email at podcast@tikvahfund.org. Thank you for your support and we look forward to a new year of great conversations on Jewish essays and ideas. Musical selections in this podcast are drawn from the Quintet for Clarinet and Strings, op. 31a, composed by Paul Ben-Haim and performed by the ARC Ensemble.

Brad Sullivan 1 Advent, Year C December 2, 2018 Emmanuel, Houston Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-9 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Prisoners of Hope “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly.” Happy Advent everyone. Here at the beginning of the church year, we have Jesus talking about what almost sounds like a doomsday scenario. Be on guard, guys, because it’s gonna get bad, then it’s gonna get worse, then the Son of Man is going to come, and you’ll really have to watch out. That’s not what’s going on here. “That day,” Jesus said. “Be on guard…[lest] that day catch you unexpectedly.” They day he was referring to was the day of the son of man, an allusion to Daniel chapter 7. The son of man, or one like a son of man, or a regular dude, (depending on how you interpret the words of Daniel), a regular dude is going to come with the clouds of heaven, and he is going to lead the people of Israel, and from then on, the people of Israel will be honored and praised by all the world, and all nations will look to Israel for peace and justice and the way of God throughout the earth. This was Daniel 7:13-14, after the first twelve verses of Daniel 7 described four terrible kingdoms of the earth rising up and wreaking havoc on Israel. So, four kingdoms of the earth, followed by a kingdom whose origin is from God, a divinely ordained and ordered kingdom for God’s people, Israel. That hasn’t happened yet. If we’re looking for historical cognates to the four kingdoms mentioned in Daniel, there are plenty of contenders like Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, but the point of Daniel’s vision is less about particular historical cognates, and more about God’s restoration of Israel after and even through destruction. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life,” Jesus said. Remember Daniel’s vision? Yes, dark days are coming, and God will be with us in and through those dark days, and afterwards, we will be restored. “When I am killed,” Jesus was saying, “when Rome sacks Israel, when the temple is destroyed, do not become prisoners of despair, weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life.” Don’t become prisoners of despair during the dark times. Whether it’s Rome sacking Israel, Harvey sacking Houston, the Camp Fire sacking northern California, we have no lack of dark times. We’ve got distress among the nations, roaring of the seas, fires, floods, we’ve definitely got fear and foreboding. We’ve got plenty of reasons to numb ourselves. That’ really what Jesus is talking about, being weighed down by dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life. Numbing. Numbing out so the worries of this life seem muted, or at least for a little while, we don’t have to care as much. Jesus is warning against responding to the worries of this life with dissipation and drunkenness. Don’t be prisoners of despair. Be on guard lest you numb out and spend your life in frivolous amusement, wasteful expenditures, dissolute living…basically a lot of excess and pleasure seeking in order to numb out and avoid the darkness and worries of life. Almost everyone numbs in one way or another to avoid or to get a temporary reprieve from the darkness and despair and worry of so much going on around us. We all numb out in one way or another, but don’t become prisoners of despair, Jesus taught. Instead, Jesus taught, be prisoners of hope. This idea of prisoners of hope comes from Zechariah 9:12, and I am completely stealing this idea from Rabbi Annie’s sermon last month during the Shabbat for Solidarity. Become prisoners of hope. Jesus knew he was going to die. He knew the Temple would be destroyed and his people would be scattered to the ends of the earth. He was acutely aware of the darkness and hardships around him, and he knew things were going to get worse, and yet he remained a prisoner of hope. Remember Daniel’s vision, guys. Remember that one day, God’s kingdom will be fully lived out with Israel at the helm. Remember the brightness of the future which casts out all the darkness of the present. Remember, and be prisoners of hope. Love deeply. Party with your friends, and enjoy life, that’s what Jesus did. Honor and respect yourself and those around you. Be faithful and true to who you are and who you want to be. Serve others when they are in need, and let others serve you when you are in need. Spend lots of time in prayer. Jesus was constantly reconnecting himself to God through prayer. He got overcome by the darkness of the world, just like we do, and so he spent a huge amount of time reconnecting to the light of God through prayer. As a people, we’re re-learning how to reconnect to the light of God through prayer with ancient practices like centering prayer and meditation. A group meets here at Temple Sinai on Thursdays at 5:00 for Centering Prayer. Bible Prayer groups are beginning to meet to pray though passages of scripture and to let the Spirit of God speak through the scriptures. Groups of people are meeting for prayer in online communities when work and travel and distance won’t allow them to meet together in person. Praying the hours is becoming cool again. Early in the life of the church, folks were becoming overwhelmed by the fast pace of life and the constant demands of their time and attention by second and third century society. So, monastic communities began forming as folks left the cities to devote themselves to quieter lives of prayer, and far from drudgery, lives of service and prayer gave light, life, and joy to those who had been weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life. Nowadays, we find a new interest in monasticism in which people don’t have to become monks and nuns but continue to live their regular lives and also join with monastics in lives of service and prayer. More and more folks are choosing to become prisoners of hope. Morning, noon, evening, and night, we Episcopalians pray as prisoners of hope. Even those four hours of prayer come from monastic roots, from people no longer wanting to be weighed down by numbing the worries of this life away through dissipation and drunkenness. Continual prayer and reconnecting to the light of God. Serving others in need and allowing others to serve us when we’re in need. Partying with friends and enjoying life while honoring and respecting ourselves and those around us. Love deeply. These are the ways Jesus lived as a prisoner of hope, and how Jesus taught us to be prisoners of hope. Restoration is coming from God. That is our hope. In little ways every day, God is restoring creation in and through us. One day, God will restore all of creation with Israel at the helm. So do not numb out. Do not be weighed down by dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life as prisoners of despair. Instead, love deeply as prisoners of hope.

Brad Sullivan 1 Advent, Year C December 2, 2018 Emmanuel, Houston Jeremiah 33:14-16 Psalm 25:1-9 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13 Luke 21:25-36 Prisoners of Hope “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly.” Happy Advent everyone. Here at the beginning of the church year, we have Jesus talking about what almost sounds like a doomsday scenario. Be on guard, guys, because it’s gonna get bad, then it’s gonna get worse, then the Son of Man is going to come, and you’ll really have to watch out. That’s not what’s going on here. “That day,” Jesus said. “Be on guard…[lest] that day catch you unexpectedly.” They day he was referring to was the day of the son of man, an allusion to Daniel chapter 7. The son of man, or one like a son of man, or a regular dude, (depending on how you interpret the words of Daniel), a regular dude is going to come with the clouds of heaven, and he is going to lead the people of Israel, and from then on, the people of Israel will be honored and praised by all the world, and all nations will look to Israel for peace and justice and the way of God throughout the earth. This was Daniel 7:13-14, after the first twelve verses of Daniel 7 described four terrible kingdoms of the earth rising up and wreaking havoc on Israel. So, four kingdoms of the earth, followed by a kingdom whose origin is from God, a divinely ordained and ordered kingdom for God’s people, Israel. That hasn’t happened yet. If we’re looking for historical cognates to the four kingdoms mentioned in Daniel, there are plenty of contenders like Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, but the point of Daniel’s vision is less about particular historical cognates, and more about God’s restoration of Israel after and even through destruction. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life,” Jesus said. Remember Daniel’s vision? Yes, dark days are coming, and God will be with us in and through those dark days, and afterwards, we will be restored. “When I am killed,” Jesus was saying, “when Rome sacks Israel, when the temple is destroyed, do not become prisoners of despair, weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life.” Don’t become prisoners of despair during the dark times. Whether it’s Rome sacking Israel, Harvey sacking Houston, the Camp Fire sacking northern California, we have no lack of dark times. We’ve got distress among the nations, roaring of the seas, fires, floods, we’ve definitely got fear and foreboding. We’ve got plenty of reasons to numb ourselves. That’ really what Jesus is talking about, being weighed down by dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life. Numbing. Numbing out so the worries of this life seem muted, or at least for a little while, we don’t have to care as much. Jesus is warning against responding to the worries of this life with dissipation and drunkenness. Don’t be prisoners of despair. Be on guard lest you numb out and spend your life in frivolous amusement, wasteful expenditures, dissolute living…basically a lot of excess and pleasure seeking in order to numb out and avoid the darkness and worries of life. Almost everyone numbs in one way or another to avoid or to get a temporary reprieve from the darkness and despair and worry of so much going on around us. We all numb out in one way or another, but don’t become prisoners of despair, Jesus taught. Instead, Jesus taught, be prisoners of hope. This idea of prisoners of hope comes from Zechariah 9:12, and I am completely stealing this idea from Rabbi Annie’s sermon last month during the Shabbat for Solidarity. Become prisoners of hope. Jesus knew he was going to die. He knew the Temple would be destroyed and his people would be scattered to the ends of the earth. He was acutely aware of the darkness and hardships around him, and he knew things were going to get worse, and yet he remained a prisoner of hope. Remember Daniel’s vision, guys. Remember that one day, God’s kingdom will be fully lived out with Israel at the helm. Remember the brightness of the future which casts out all the darkness of the present. Remember, and be prisoners of hope. Love deeply. Party with your friends, and enjoy life, that’s what Jesus did. Honor and respect yourself and those around you. Be faithful and true to who you are and who you want to be. Serve others when they are in need, and let others serve you when you are in need. Spend lots of time in prayer. Jesus was constantly reconnecting himself to God through prayer. He got overcome by the darkness of the world, just like we do, and so he spent a huge amount of time reconnecting to the light of God through prayer. As a people, we’re re-learning how to reconnect to the light of God through prayer with ancient practices like centering prayer and meditation. A group meets here at Temple Sinai on Thursdays at 5:00 for Centering Prayer. Bible Prayer groups are beginning to meet to pray though passages of scripture and to let the Spirit of God speak through the scriptures. Groups of people are meeting for prayer in online communities when work and travel and distance won’t allow them to meet together in person. Praying the hours is becoming cool again. Early in the life of the church, folks were becoming overwhelmed by the fast pace of life and the constant demands of their time and attention by second and third century society. So, monastic communities began forming as folks left the cities to devote themselves to quieter lives of prayer, and far from drudgery, lives of service and prayer gave light, life, and joy to those who had been weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life. Nowadays, we find a new interest in monasticism in which people don’t have to become monks and nuns but continue to live their regular lives and also join with monastics in lives of service and prayer. More and more folks are choosing to become prisoners of hope. Morning, noon, evening, and night, we Episcopalians pray as prisoners of hope. Even those four hours of prayer come from monastic roots, from people no longer wanting to be weighed down by numbing the worries of this life away through dissipation and drunkenness. Continual prayer and reconnecting to the light of God. Serving others in need and allowing others to serve us when we’re in need. Partying with friends and enjoying life while honoring and respecting ourselves and those around us. Love deeply. These are the ways Jesus lived as a prisoner of hope, and how Jesus taught us to be prisoners of hope. Restoration is coming from God. That is our hope. In little ways every day, God is restoring creation in and through us. One day, God will restore all of creation with Israel at the helm. So do not numb out. Do not be weighed down by dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life as prisoners of despair. Instead, love deeply as prisoners of hope.

Brad Sullivan Proper 25, Year B October 28, 2018 Emmanuel, Houston Mark 10:46-52 Isaiah 2:2-4 Out of Anger, Hatred, and Killing, “Let There Be Light” “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep…Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3) Bartimaeus, a man who was blind called to Jesus to have mercy on him, and when Jesus asked what he wanted, he said, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said, “Go; your faith has made you well,” and immediately Bartimaeus could see. Where there had been a formless void and darkness for Bartimaeus, Jesus spoke, and there was light. It is no stretch to draw a connection between the light at the beginning of creation and the restoration of sight for Bartimaeus, because there was so much more going on with Bartimaeus than one man getting to see again. The same voice that said, “Let there be light,” said to Bartimaeus, “Go; your faith has made you well.” God was once again bringing light into the darkness. You might think that God would get tired of saying “let there be light” over and over again in the midst of our darkness, but it seems that in God’s love, God never tires of bringing light into the formless void of our darkness. Anger, hatred, killing. “Let there be light,” God says. “Let there be light.” The healing of Bartimaeus was a sign, a reminder that God is always taking the darkness of the world upon himself and bringing light and healing to this broken world. I’m guessing that most people who witnessed Bartimaeus’ healing didn’t think to themselves, “Oh, God is restoring light into the void and darkness of humanity’s sin.” Most probably just thought, “Cool, Barty can see again,” but restoration and healing of creation is what was really going on in the healing of Bartimaeus, and the really cool thing about Bartimaeus is, he got to be a part of Jesus healing and restoring creation. He got to be a part of Jesus’ light casting out darkness. Now, Bartimaeus didn’t do anything great. All he did was ask Jesus for help, but because he did, Jesus got to show that the light of God has not left the world in darkness, but rather God’s light is always with us in this world casting out darkness for those who wish to see. We are here worshipping in a Jewish Synagogue because after Hurricane Harvey flooded our church, the Rabbi and people of Temple Sinai offered their sacred space for us to worship in on Sundays. They were the light in our darkness, and as with Bartimaeus, there was and is now something so much bigger going on than a small Christian community getting a place to gather for worship. In our communities coming together, God is working to heal his world. In our communities sharing Temple Sinai’s house of worship, God is casting out the darkness of anger, hatred, and killing. Now, there was no anger, hatred, and killing between Emmanuel and Temple Sinai, but as we saw yesterday in Pittsburg, there is still plenty of anger and hatred towards and killing of the people of Israel. People at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg were gathered yesterday for a Shabbat service, for Sabbath rest and peace, and a man walked in and killed 11 people simply because he hated wanted to kill Jews. The darkness of anti-Semitism, that anger, hatred, and killing is tragically still with us. So, when I say we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves by gathering here for worship at Temple Sinai, I mean we are a part of God casting out the darkness of anti-Semitism, of anger, hatred, and violence of all kinds. By being here, we are a part of God’s continuing story of taking the formless void and darkness of humanity’s anger, hatred, and violence, and saying to that darkness, “Let there be light.” Now, like Bartimaeus, we haven’t done anything. All the work was done by a Jewish rabbi and her congregation saying, “Come, worship, let our house be your house.” All we did was say, “yes please, thank you,” and God said, “Let there be light.” That is the story we are a part of by being here. That is the story we get to tell because we are here. We get to be a part of and tell the story of God healing creation. I hope we don’t miss that. I hope we don’t take this time gathering for worship in this sacred and holy place and simply think, “cool, we got a place to worship.” There is so much more going on here than just having a place to gather on Sundays. Jesus said his followers would be kicked out of the synagogues, and yet here we are. Peace and wholeness in creation is being restored. In Isaiah 2:2-4, we here a vision of peace, of peace in Jerusalem and peace in the world. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:2-4) That is the story we get to be a part of by worshipping here on Sundays, by accepting Temple Sinai’s offer for light in our darkness. People need to hear this story. It’s a story worth telling because it is part of a story that is so much bigger than we. Like Bartimaeus’ story was so much bigger than just him receiving his sight, our being here is part of God’s story of constantly saying, “Let there be light,” to the formless void and darkness of humanity’s anger, hatred, and killing. In the wake of 11 deaths at Tree of Life Synagogue, tell this story. Tell the story of Emmanuel at Sinai, the story of this congregation opening up their hearts to us, the story of God saying, “Let there be light.”

Brad Sullivan Proper 25, Year B October 28, 2018 Emmanuel, Houston Mark 10:46-52 Isaiah 2:2-4 Out of Anger, Hatred, and Killing, “Let There Be Light” “In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep…Then God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (Genesis 1:1-3) Bartimaeus, a man who was blind called to Jesus to have mercy on him, and when Jesus asked what he wanted, he said, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said, “Go; your faith has made you well,” and immediately Bartimaeus could see. Where there had been a formless void and darkness for Bartimaeus, Jesus spoke, and there was light. It is no stretch to draw a connection between the light at the beginning of creation and the restoration of sight for Bartimaeus, because there was so much more going on with Bartimaeus than one man getting to see again. The same voice that said, “Let there be light,” said to Bartimaeus, “Go; your faith has made you well.” God was once again bringing light into the darkness. You might think that God would get tired of saying “let there be light” over and over again in the midst of our darkness, but it seems that in God’s love, God never tires of bringing light into the formless void of our darkness. Anger, hatred, killing. “Let there be light,” God says. “Let there be light.” The healing of Bartimaeus was a sign, a reminder that God is always taking the darkness of the world upon himself and bringing light and healing to this broken world. I’m guessing that most people who witnessed Bartimaeus’ healing didn’t think to themselves, “Oh, God is restoring light into the void and darkness of humanity’s sin.” Most probably just thought, “Cool, Barty can see again,” but restoration and healing of creation is what was really going on in the healing of Bartimaeus, and the really cool thing about Bartimaeus is, he got to be a part of Jesus healing and restoring creation. He got to be a part of Jesus’ light casting out darkness. Now, Bartimaeus didn’t do anything great. All he did was ask Jesus for help, but because he did, Jesus got to show that the light of God has not left the world in darkness, but rather God’s light is always with us in this world casting out darkness for those who wish to see. We are here worshipping in a Jewish Synagogue because after Hurricane Harvey flooded our church, the Rabbi and people of Temple Sinai offered their sacred space for us to worship in on Sundays. They were the light in our darkness, and as with Bartimaeus, there was and is now something so much bigger going on than a small Christian community getting a place to gather for worship. In our communities coming together, God is working to heal his world. In our communities sharing Temple Sinai’s house of worship, God is casting out the darkness of anger, hatred, and killing. Now, there was no anger, hatred, and killing between Emmanuel and Temple Sinai, but as we saw yesterday in Pittsburg, there is still plenty of anger and hatred towards and killing of the people of Israel. People at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg were gathered yesterday for a Shabbat service, for Sabbath rest and peace, and a man walked in and killed 11 people simply because he hated wanted to kill Jews. The darkness of anti-Semitism, that anger, hatred, and killing is tragically still with us. So, when I say we are a part of something so much bigger than ourselves by gathering here for worship at Temple Sinai, I mean we are a part of God casting out the darkness of anti-Semitism, of anger, hatred, and violence of all kinds. By being here, we are a part of God’s continuing story of taking the formless void and darkness of humanity’s anger, hatred, and violence, and saying to that darkness, “Let there be light.” Now, like Bartimaeus, we haven’t done anything. All the work was done by a Jewish rabbi and her congregation saying, “Come, worship, let our house be your house.” All we did was say, “yes please, thank you,” and God said, “Let there be light.” That is the story we are a part of by being here. That is the story we get to tell because we are here. We get to be a part of and tell the story of God healing creation. I hope we don’t miss that. I hope we don’t take this time gathering for worship in this sacred and holy place and simply think, “cool, we got a place to worship.” There is so much more going on here than just having a place to gather on Sundays. Jesus said his followers would be kicked out of the synagogues, and yet here we are. Peace and wholeness in creation is being restored. In Isaiah 2:2-4, we here a vision of peace, of peace in Jerusalem and peace in the world. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Isaiah 2:2-4) That is the story we get to be a part of by worshipping here on Sundays, by accepting Temple Sinai’s offer for light in our darkness. People need to hear this story. It’s a story worth telling because it is part of a story that is so much bigger than we. Like Bartimaeus’ story was so much bigger than just him receiving his sight, our being here is part of God’s story of constantly saying, “Let there be light,” to the formless void and darkness of humanity’s anger, hatred, and killing. In the wake of 11 deaths at Tree of Life Synagogue, tell this story. Tell the story of Emmanuel at Sinai, the story of this congregation opening up their hearts to us, the story of God saying, “Let there be light.”

Rabbi Ben David, senior rabbi of Congregation Adath Emanu-El, Mount Laurel. NJ, returns to the Jewish Sacred Aging Podcast to discuss Seven Days, Many Voices: Insights into the Biblical Story of Creation, (order the book here)  the book of essays he recently edited for the CCAR Press. The book is an anthology of creative responses to and inspired interpretations of the story of Creation. Midrash, biblical criticism, literature, theology, climate justice, human rights, history, and science are just some of the fields through which the Creation story is examined by such thinkers as Rabbi Richard F. Address, founder of JewishSacredAging.com; Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Dr. Alyssa Gray, Rabbi Aaron Panken, PhD, Rabbi Mira Wasserman, PhD, Rabbi Jill Jacobs, and many others. About the Guest Rabbi Benjamin David was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Cherry Hill, NJ. He is the son of Rabbi Jerome and Peggy David. He attended Cherry Hill High School East and Muhlenberg College, where he majored in English Literature. In 1999, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 2004, he was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. While in rabbinic school, he served numerous congregations, including Kol Hanishama of Jerusalem, Temple Beth Am of Monessen, PA and Temple Shaaray Tefila of Manhattan. He also served as intern at the Jewish Guild for the Blind and the Makor Steinhardt Center. He received numerous awards in the field of Talmud and Hebrew Literature and was the cofounder of Davar Aher, a student review. From 2005-2012, he served as assistant and associate rabbi at Temple Sinai of Roslyn, working closely with youth and teens, overseeing the Hebrew High School program, officiating at lifecycle events, teaching broadly, and helping to further develop the congregation's social action, community organizing, and interfaith programs. A competitive distant runner, he has completed sixteen marathons and twenty half marathons. He is a co-founder of the Running Rabbis, a social justice initiative that works with clergy worldwide to run and walk in the name of worthy causes. Rabbi David is also active in the Jewish Federation of South Jersey, especially within the Young Adult Division, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Family and Children's Service, and is on the advisory board for The Voice. He is married to Lisa David, the Associate Director of Camp Harlam.  They also met at Camp Harlam, where they both spent time as campers, counselors, and supervisors. They have three children, Noa, Elijah, and Samuel.  

Host Vanessa Weisbrod sits down with Temple Sinai of Summit New Jersey Preschool Director Amy Damast to discuss how her early childhood education program is accommodating students on a gluten-free diet. She's discuss educating teachers, partnering with families and evaluating food handling processesto ensure a safe environment for every student at the school. Thank you to the Walter and Jean Boek Global Autoimmune Institute for supporting this podcast.

In the December 16, 2016 Jewish Sacred Aging Podcast, Rabbi Ben David, senior rabbi at Congregation Adath Emanu-El, Mt. Laurel, NJ, discusses his experience battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and how it is shaping a new perspective for his rabbinate, his life as a parent, and as a human being.  Rabbi David made his illness, treatment, and recovery the focus of his Yom Kippur sermon this year, which you can read here. [spp-player] About the Guest Rabbi Benjamin David was born in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Cherry Hill, NJ. He is the son of Rabbi Jerome and Peggy David. He attended Cherry Hill High School East and Muhlenberg College, where he majored in English Literature. In 1999, he graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. In 2004, he was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. While in rabbinic school, he served numerous congregations, including Kol Hanishama of Jerusalem, Temple Beth Am of Monessen, PA and Temple Shaaray Tefila of Manhattan. He also served as intern at the Jewish Guild for the Blind and the Makor Steinhardt Center. He received numerous awards in the field of Talmud and Hebrew Literature and was the cofounder of Davar Aher, a student review. From 2005-2012, he served as assistant and associate rabbi at Temple Sinai of Roslyn, working closely with youth and teens, overseeing the Hebrew High School program, officiating at lifecycle events, teaching broadly, and helping to further develop the congregation's social action, community organizing, and interfaith programs. A competitive distant runner, he has completed sixteen marathons and twenty half marathons. He is a co-founder of the Running Rabbis, a social justice initiative that works with clergy worldwide to run and walk in the name of worthy causes. Rabbi David is also active in the Jewish Federation of South Jersey, especially within the Young Adult Division, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Jewish Family and Children's Service, and is on the advisory board for The Voice. He is married to Lisa David, the Associate Director of Camp Harlam.  They also met at Camp Harlam, where they both spent time as campers, counselors, and supervisors. They have three children, Noa, Elijah, and Samuel.    

On this week s episode, we celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights, a time when families gather to light the menorah, exchange gifts and feast on traditional foods. First, we share stories with Rabbi Ed Cohn of Temple Sinai, the spiritual leader of the largest synagogue in Louisiana. Rabbi Cohn tell us about his tenure at Temple Sinai and his favorite Hanukkah food memories. Then, we head over to the Lower 9th Ward, to the grand opening of the Sankofa Fresh Stop Market. Sankofa is a community development project that is working to provide healthy food and promote neighborhood well being in an area of New Orleans that has suffered from a lack of food resources for years. We also speak with Elizabeth Kurtz, author of Celebrate Food, Family, Shabbos, to learn more about some other kosher holiday recipes, with a different challah bread for every occasion Next, we wander through the holiday lit French Quarter to visit Leah s Pralines, a quaint family owned candy shop steeped in a delicious history. Elna Stokes and her daughter Suzie, the second and third generation operators of the business, tell us about the Johnson family s history with pralines. Finally, we hit the history books with Rien Fertel, food historian and scholar, to hear about his research on Louisiana s quintessential candy. It s the season of sweets on this week s Louisiana s Eats Elizabeth Kurtz s Spinning Dreidel Rum Punch Be careful with this one drink too much and your head will be spinning Rum is a wonderfully versatile spirit that can be mixed with just about everything and the Walder's Creamy Liqueur adds a decadent rich layer to this festive punch. What you ll need Large punch bowl 1 Bottle Ron Viejo De Caldas 3 Year Aged Rum 4 Cans Ginger Ale 4 Cups Pineapple Juice 1 Bottle Walder s Vodka and Vanilla Creamy Liqueur Plenty of Ice In a large punch bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the ice and ginger ale. Refrigerate the punch for about an hour before you re ready to serve. Then, add the ice, ginger ale and stir.

Fifty years ago, hundreds of thousands of Americans came to Washington for "The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom." Their achievements in terms of racial equality were hard-fought and profound. Their agenda for jobs--full employment with dignified work and wages--seems increasingly out of reach. Applying the lessons of the victories of the civil rights movement to a radically restructured 21st century economy, Rabbi Kirschner of Temple Sinai reconsiders the relationship between wage-earning and value in American life.

A new community-wide initiative, Jewish & Widowed, is the focus of our program this week on Radio Chavura. The group, offering a safe, non-threatening way to begin new friendships, will hold its first event this coming Wednesday, May 8th.  The program is open to Jewish men and women of all ages who have lost a spouse or significant other. Joining us in the 990 KRKS AM studios to discuss the creation of Jewish & Widowed, as well as its goals, are Connie Suson and Lisa Thorner. Connie, programming director at Congregation Rodef Shalom, came up with the concept for a community-supported program to connect Jewish men and women who've lost a spouse or partner.  Connie's own father is a widower. Among those who quickly embraced the concept and shared in its development is Lisa Thorner, programming director at Temple Sinai, who also has a widowed parent. Connie and Lisa stress that Jewish & Widowed is not a dating service, nor is it a forum for a "group cry."  Rather, it's aimed at fostering friendships and fun among individuals who, in time, will direct their own social functions. Our interview with Connie and Lisa will be especially interesting to potential group members; their friends and family; and to other community leaders who will enjoy hearing how Connie, Lisa and others have found common purpose, even though they represent different Jewish congregations, religious affiliations and organizations. Radio Chavura is proud to join these other organizations as co-sponsors of Jewish & Widowed:  Allied Jewish Apartments; BMH-BJ: The Denver Synagogue; B'nai Havurah; Congregation Rodef Shalom; Feldman Mortuary; Hebrew Educational Alliance; JFS at the JCC; Keshet; Shalom Cares; Temple Emanuel; and Temple Sinai.  For more information, contact Connie at 303-399-0035.  Everyone is welcome to kibbutz, kvel and laugh - just not to kvetch (this is an upbeat group)! Photo:  Lisa Thorner, Temple Sinai   

David Wessel is economics editor of The Wall Street Journal and writes the "Capital” column, a weekly look at the economy and forces shaping living standards around the world. He also appears frequently on National Public Radio and WETA’s Washington Week. His book, In Fed We Trust: Ben Bernanke’s War on the Great Panic, was selected by strategy+business magazine as one of the Best Business Books of 2009. This book was one of 6 finalists for the Financial Times Business Book of the year 2009, as well as selected as one of the "100 Notable Books of 2009" by the New York Times. David joined The Wall Street Journal in 1984 in Boston, and moved to Washington in 1987, where he was deputy bureau chief until assuming his current job in September 2007. In 1999 and 2000, he served as the newspaper’s Berlin bureau chief. He previously worked for the Boston Globe, the Hartford (Conn.) Courant and Middletown (Conn.) Press. A 1975 graduate of Haverford College, he was Knight Bagehot Fellow in Business & Economics Journalism at Columbia University in 1980- 81. David has shared two Pulitzer Prizes, one for Boston Globe stories in 1983 on the persistence of racism in Boston and the other for stories in The Wall Street Journal in 2002 on corporate wrong-doing. He is the co-author, with Wall Street Journal reporter Bob Davis, of Prosperity, a 1998 book on the American middle class. He and his wife, Naomi Karp, senior policy advisor at AARP’s Public Policy Institute, have two children, Julia and Ben. David is a member of the advisory board of the Journal of Economic Perspectives. He has served as on the board of trustees of Temple Sinai in Washington, the Committee for Economic Development’s Research Advisory Board and the advisory board of the Columbia University’s Community College Research Center.

Renowned author and Boston Globe columnist James Carroll, distinguished scholar in residence at Suffolk University, speaks about his newest book "Jerusalem, Jerusalem: How the Ancient City Ignited Our Modern World." Presented in partnership with the Worcester JCC, Congregation Beth Israel, Temple Emanuel and Temple Sinai.