Numbers.8.1-12.16 The Hebrew root for this week’s Torah portion, Beholetecha, is OLAH, meaning to elevate. The portion begins with the strange command that Aaron should “elevate” the lights of the menorah. Rashi asks why the Hebrew word Lehadlik isn’t used…
Torah Thoughts – Balak – Numbers.22.2-25.9 – “How Beautiful the Shir Shalom Sanctuary!”
Numbers 22.2-25.9 Lately, I have been taking a good look at the faces of congregants coming into our sanctuary after a year and a half of being away. Even with masks, I can see the excitement on your faces. It…
Torah Thoughts – Chukat – Numbers 19:1-22:1 – “The Art of Saying Goodbye”
Two weeks ago we lost a truly great man – Dr. Robert Milch. As a surgeon for Buffalo Medical Group in the 1970s, he saw firsthand the challenges many of his patients faced with their end-of-life care. Not one to…
Torah Thoughts – Korach – Numbers.16.1-18.32 – “A Bicentennial of Hate”
The 200th anniversary of the first pogrom came and went a month and a half ago with little fanfare. Pogrom, a Russian word meaning to wreak havoc on an ethnic community, is the reason the majority of our Jewish ancestors…
Torah Thoughts Sh’lach – Numbers.13.1-15.41 – “Giving up is not an option”
In the past few weeks, many of you have completed a survey we put out to assess options for High Holy Day services this coming September. The information that will come back will no doubt assist our decision making, but…
Torah Thoughts – Naso – Numbers.4.21-7.89 – “American Judaism by the Numbers”
Numbers.4.21-7.89 This week in the Torah, in Naso, we wrap up the two-week long process of taking a census of our biblical ancestors. Through it all, we get a snapshot of the tribal system, and a better understanding of how…
Torah Thoughts – Bamidbar – Numbers 1:1-4:20 – “More Numbers, More Confusion”
Numbers 1:1-4:20 When I was training to become a chaplain back in 2008, one of my fellow CPE classmates would always remind our group, “more information only leads to more anxiety.” What she meant by that is while we think…
Torah Thoughts – Behar-Bechukotai – Leviticus 25:1-27:34 – “From Strength to Strength to Strength”
Leviticus 25:1-27:34 My favorite moment at our Shir Shalom Bnei Mitzvah celebrations is the one when the child comes up for his or her own blessing before and after the Torah. This is the one that fully cements them as…
A Zoom-Gaddah
Download here for Powerpoint Download here for PDF Watch an “Informal Seder with Rabbi Alex and Cantor Frank”
Men’s Group Membership and Donations
Please donate to the Shir Shalom Men’s Group. Your donation helps support Temple needs that are not part of the Temple budget. Some of the items we have sponsored include: Sponsoring the live video streaming of services. Helping purchase a…