Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman May 31, 2020/8 Sivan 5780 Shavua tov. As the new week begins, Jews around the world are coming out of the holy time of Shabbat and Shavuot (observed for two days in much of the Jewish world). We return to a world deeply in need of healing, both from the pandemic …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman In this week’s Torah portion, Naso, we find the most ancient words of blessing known to us. The Priestly Blessing echoes through millenia (from at least the 7th century BCE). It is incredible to imagine that these words have been said, chanted, or sung for so many generations, in so many …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman This Shabbat, we begin the book of Numbers, Bamidbar. Bamidbar means “in the wilderness.” Here we resume the narrative of the long sojourn through the midbar– a narrative which began in the book of Exodus and then was interrupted by the book of Leviticus, filled with rules and regulations to guide …
Dear TOS Community, We want to update you on our thoughts and plans in light of Governor Baker’s announcement yesterday which loosened some restrictions on gatherings including at houses of worship. We, along with leaders of congregations across the Commonwealth, do not believe that it is safe or advisable to resume in person services at …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman Shabbat Shalom! I look forward to being with you for services this evening. Shabbat has been such a welcome anchor in time during this strange and amorphous time. Many of us feel adrift in a sea of days strung together without the boundaries of our commute to work, or our kids …
David Sparr, Music Director The verses of the Psalms have been a primary source of lyrics for religious composers throughout history. Since King David is the Bible’s most famous musician, and is said to be the author of most of the Psalms (although modern biblical scholars dispute this), it makes sense to assume that Psalms …
Dear Friend, We hope this finds you and your families well and that you are continuing to find ways to cope in these challenging times. The past few weeks have been overwhelming for us all, and in this time of anxiety and uncertainty, we are glad many have been able to find comfort in our …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman April 28, 2020 / 4 Iyar 5780 In the Jewish landscape of time, we experience communal celebration and communal mourning on our sacred days. In this time of living through a global pandemic, we can feel uprooted and disoriented as our routines and calendars have been upended, and reconnecting to the …
Donna Rubenoff Dear friends, This is a time for hunkering down and staying put. We in Massachusetts are in the midst of a surge in regards to the increased number of Coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Perhaps it is a time when you are living with fear, sadness, grief and loneliness, but also noticing the arising …
