by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 28, 2022 | Community, Israel, Kindness and Compassion, Psalms, Temple
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz King David begins Psalm 15 with a question: A psalm of David. Hashem, who may sojourn in Your tent, who may dwell on Your holy mountain? Psalm 15:1 And in a few short verses, King David simplified matters, condensing the entire Bible into a...
by Rabbi Tuly Weisz | f 24, 2022 | Antisemitism, Chosen Nation, Community, Covenant, God, Gratitude, Israel, Psalms, Tests and Trials
The recent surge in antisemitism from the Black Hebrew community regurgitates age-old tropes, namely that another group has replaced the Jews as God’s Chosen People. When Christianity first broke off from Judaism 2,000 years ago, the younger religion claimed that...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 2, 2022 | Chosen Nation, Faith, God, Israel, Lech Lecha, Miracles, Prayer
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz A wonderful aspect of reading the weekly Torah portion is the synchronicity that happens when the scripture matches up with current or historical events. This week, we read the section of the Torah containing God’s promise to bless those who...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 31, 2022 | God, Happiness and Joy, Israel, Psalms
By Rabbi Avi Baumol Despite all the dangerous threats surrounding the modern Jewish State, Israeli citizens consistently rate extremely high in global surveys measuring quality of life and happiness. This year, Israel ranked ninth in the 10th annual World Happiness...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 31, 2022 | God, Israel, Psalms, Temple
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz King David was a complicated person. Perhaps the most perplexing part of his life was his dual identities as a musician and as a warrior. David went from playing his harp to soothe King Saul, to having run from and fight his patron king. He...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 30, 2022 | God, Happiness and Joy, Israel, Lech Lecha
By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz I have a special personal connection with this week’s Torah reading. 31 years ago, I was a chef in a fancy restaurant in Manhattan. I had a cool motorcycle and lots of cash to party and play. I had long hair and a tattoo. But I was angry all...
