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Archive: December 2019

Building an Inclusive Community
Posted on December 9, 2019

Building an Inclusive Community

Rabbi Daniel Schaefer Last night I had the privilege of attending an event with members of our synagogue inclusion committee and the Ruderman Synagogue Inclusion Project. The Ruderman Foundation has supported our inclusion work here at TOS and they’ve recently expanded their inclusion work to mental health, as well. Unfortunately, we know from studies and personal …

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Rabbi Berkman as Guest DJ
Posted on November 19, 2019

Rabbi Berkman as Guest DJ

This past Sunday, Rabbi Berkman had the chance to guest DJ for Chagigah, the WERS radio station featuring Jewish music and culture. Want to hear her guest spot? Listen below…

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Dvar Torah – Parashat Bereishit
Posted on October 25, 2019

Dvar Torah – Parashat Bereishit

In honor of this #ShowUpForShabbat, on the one-year anniversary of the attack on the Tree of Life synagogue Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman Thank you for “showing up for Shabbat” tonight. To mindfully mark time and to notice where we are now in relation to where we have been, and where we hope to go – …

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Acting Executive Director & Education Director: The Role of a Lifetime
Posted on October 22, 2019

Acting Executive Director & Education Director: The Role of a Lifetime

Shari Churwin When I watched the Emmy’s a few weeks ago, I was struck by all of the thank-you’s. Every actor, writer, director, costume designer – their first reaction was to say thank you to everyone who supported them along the way. It was clear that none of them could have achieved their success without …

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Learning the Lessons of History – Yom Kippur 5780
Posted on October 10, 2019

Learning the Lessons of History – Yom Kippur 5780

Rabbi Daniel Schaefer – Delivered Yom Kippur 5780 In high school, I had three amazing teachers – Mr. DeBischop, Mr. Navage, and Mr. Satler, who inspired in me a love of history and changed the direction of my professional ambitions. I was fascinated by the stories of great civilizations, the rise and fall of leaders …

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High Holy Days with Children at TOS
Posted on October 3, 2019

High Holy Days with Children at TOS

Shari Churwin and Amy Deutsch Yom Kippur. Often the last thing on our mind, as we prepare our homes and ourselves for this holy day, is preparing our children. And the thing is—Yom Kippur services are different from traditional Shabbat services at TOS. Having a quick conversation (or two) with our children, no matter their age, …

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Erev Rosh Hashanah 5780
Posted on September 29, 2019

Erev Rosh Hashanah 5780

Rabbi Daniel Schaefer Shana tovah. Two rabbis walk into a bar. One rabbi says: The world was created in the fall in the month of Tishrei. In Tishrei the Patriarchs were born; in Tishrei the Patriarchs died; on Passover Isaac was born; on Rosh HaShana Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah were remembered by God; on Rosh …

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On Tisha B’Av We Remember & Mourn
Posted on August 9, 2019

On Tisha B’Av We Remember & Mourn

Rabbi Daniel Schaefer We are approaching the end of the three weeks, a period of time that culminates tomorrow night with the arrival of Tisha B’Av, a day of mourning. I’m incredibly grateful that Judaism sets aside sacred time for us to be sad, to feel down, and to get in touch with despair. These …

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Reflections on the Past Year
Posted on June 27, 2019

Reflections on the Past Year

Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman At the June 19th Annual Meeting, I noted that on that day I had officiated at the funeral of a beloved member, Gertrude Goldberg. Her 101 years on this earth exemplified the power and sanctity of relationship and connection – connection to loved ones and connection and commitment to Jewish community …

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