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 …
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 …
Annual Meeting 2019 It has been my honor to serve as Rabbi of this congregation for one year, and before that to serve as Associate Rabbi for one year. I am proud of all that we have accomplished this year and I believe wholeheartedly that we are poised for success and growth as a community …
Dear Friends, Across the country, many thousands of our Jewish sisters and brothers are experiencing the horror of having lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and several Jewish institutions including camps and a Jewish day school. (See this article for more information on the impact on the Jewish community.) The devastation of the fires came directly after many …
Dear TOS Community, I am filled with gratitude for the many blessings of last Friday evening’s Installation, when we marked the official start of a new chapter in which I have the honor of serving as your spiritual leader. The service and reception exemplified the power of community, tradition, friendship, learning, and love. My deepest …
Rabbi Audrey Marcus Berkman My already-beloved community, cherished family, friends, colleagues: How very humbling to be called to the leadership of this kehilla kedoshah, this holy community, at this moment in history. It is not an easy moment – it is arguably the most challenging and shocking time for American Jews in many decades, certainly …
Written by a grade 6 ARS student, as inspired by Rabbi Daniel Schaefer’s sermon on Friday night, 10/19/2018 Did you know that there are refugee families in Brookline that need our help? There is one that even goes to school here at TOS. I really want to help his family as they don’t have much. …
Rabbi Daniel Schaefer This week’s Torah portion, Lech L’cha, begins with the famous words: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־אַבְרָ֔ם לֶךְ־לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ God said to Abram, “Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house.” Why does God specify three different places from which Abram is to go forth? Wouldn’t mentioning …
Linda Puretz & Susan Zeiger Here’s How the Jewish Community Can Help Cherishing our friends and family in the LGBTQ community—and standing up for their safety and civil rights—is an expression of our caring and inclusive values at Ohabei Shalom. We want to ensure that all people in our community are treated fairly, with dignity …
