The Twelve Tribes are the Key to Israel’s Nationhood, Past and Future

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 12, 2021 | Community, Covenant, Israel, Vayeitzei

The story of Jacob and his wives is far more than a biographical account. It is, in fact, the beginnings of the nation that takes its name from Jacob’s second name: Israel. From four wives he fathered twelve sons from which the twelve tribes of Israel were born. The...

What can we learn from the daughters of Zelophehad?

by Mordi Levi | f 22, 2021 | Community, God, Israel, Pinchas

After the plague which God sends to punish the Children of Israel for worshipping Baal-peor (Numbers 25), God instructs Moses to count all of the Israelite men aged 20 and up. They are counted by tribe according to their ancestral houses (Numbers 26:2). After the...

The covenant at the plains of Moab reflects Israel’s responsibility to the world

by Mordi Levi | f 6, 2021 | Community, Covenant, Hebrew Language, Israel, Light Unto the Nations, Nitzavim, Responsibility

As the People of Israel stand at the plains of Moab, ready to enter the Promised Land, Moses leads them in reaffirming their covenant with God for all generations. The first time the Children of Israel entered a covenant with God was shortly after the Exodus at Mount...

Tu B’Shvat: The Basics

by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 28, 2021 | Community, Israel, Job, Tu B'shvat

Despite not being specifically mentioned in the Bible, Tu B’Shvat has Biblical implications and, as the holiday that connects Jews to the land, has become massively popular in modern Israel. Tu B’Shvat is so named because it falls on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew...

Tu B’Shvat: Planting Trees as Spiritual Renewal for Mankind

by Eliyahu Berkowitz | f 27, 2021 | Antisemitism, Community, Isaiah, Israel, Messiah, Temple, Tu B'shvat

Tu B’Shvat, the fifteenth month of the holiday of Shevat, is, according to the Mishna (oral law), the new year for the trees. But Jews traditionally take the day as an opportunity to go out into nature to plant trees and act that has taken on a deep spiritual...

Haftarah – Golda’s $50 Million Fundraiser in the Spirit of the Half-Shekel

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 22, 2017 | Community, Israel, Leadership, Mishpatim

In the months before Israel’s Declaration of Independence, war with the surrounding Arab states seemed inevitable, and obtaining funds to equip the Jewish army became critical. Golda Meir travelled to the U.S. to raise money urgently needed to purchase arms and defend...