When entering Congregation Shir Shalom, you are greeted by two large canvases painted by the late Harvey Breverman.  On one canvas are a group of teenagers gathered with their backs largely toward us, only one young man has his face…

Every building in Israel is required to have access to a bomb shelter.  These are not necessarily separate structures but safe spaces inside stairwells and showers, where in the event of an attack, people will be safe.  Depending on where…

In honor of Moses’ final poem, one I wrote recently about my inability to blow the shofar.  Enjoy! Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Alex “Shofar Lessons” Squish your lips Like a fish kiss Press them against the handle And let them vibrate…

Outside the Everett House on the campus of the Chautauqua Institute is a display of a tent from 1870.  Unlike the elaborate popup tents of today, the design of the 19th century was simple – a tall wooden pole, a…

To my three children, and the 100 million plus Americans under the age of 25, let’s talk. The silver anniversary of 9/11 is today and I need to tell you why it matters. When I was growing up, Pearl Harbor…