Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman Dear Friends, On this eighth day of Hanukkah, we are to carry with us the bountiful, beautiful light we created during Chag Urim (the Festival of Lights) and bring it outward into the world; and yet today, we also hold the anguish and anxiety of a time of increased antisemitic violence …
Rabbi Schaefer Hanukkah means dedication. The name for this festival comes from the actions of the Maccabees after they defeated the Greeks. After finding the temple in ruins, the Maccabees clean it up and rededicate the temple by lighting the menorah. I’ve been thinking a lot about the spiritual significance of Hanukkah and why we …
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 …
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…
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 – …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
