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Tol’dot – תּוֹלְדֹת (Genesis 25:19−28:9)

November 25, 2022/in Torah Tidbit

This Week’s Torah Portion: Tol’dot – תּוֹלְדֹת (Genesis 25:19−28:9)

וַיִּתְרֹֽצְצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אִם־כֵּ֔ן לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה אָנֹ֑כִי וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶת־יְהֹוָֽה׃

“But the children struggled in [Rebecca’s] womb, and she said, “If so, why do I exist?” She went to inquire of the LORD…” Genesis 25:22

The collision of Toledot and Thanksgiving this week is a coincidence; but this story gives us a heady reminder and example of family dynamics gone wrong, right at the moment we are gathering together for our secular Thanksgiving weekend. Even in Rebecca’s womb, the brothers struggle. Rashi shares this midrash in his commentary on the above verse:

Our Rabbis explain that the word ויתרוצצו has the meaning of running, moving quickly: whenever she passed by the doors of the Torah (i. e. the Schools of Shem and Eber) Jacob moved convulsively in his efforts to come to birth, but whenever she passed by the gate of a pagan temple Esau moved convulsively in his efforts to come to birth (Genesis Rabbah 63:6). Another explanation is: they struggled with one another and quarreled as to how they should divide the two worlds as their inheritance (Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 111:2).

Midrash foreshadows Jacob’s deep connection and struggle with Judaism and Esau’s struggling movement toward his own destiny. This story also foreshadows the external struggles Jacob and Esau will have growing up, ending in this Parsha with the destruction of their relationship. Esau weeps,  “Have you but one blessing Father? Bless me too Father!” In this story, Isaac and Rebecca believe there is only one blessing meant for one son. What might have been different had they realized that there was more than one blessing to be passed on, even if that blessing looked different for each child? As we gather together in families and friendships of all shapes and sizes and dynamics, let us remember that there is enough love for everyone, and let us give that love abundantly.

Parsha Tol’dot – תּוֹלְדֹת Torah Summary:

Rebekah has twins, Esau and Jacob. (25:19-26) Esau gives Jacob his birthright in exchange for some stew. (25:27-34) King Abimelech is led to think that Rebekah is Isaac’s sister and later finds out that she is really his wife. (26:1-16) Isaac plans to bless Esau, his firstborn. Rebekah and Jacob deceive Isaac so that Jacob receives the blessing. (27:1-29) Esau threatens to kill Jacob, who then flees to Haran. (27:30-45) Tol’dot – תּוֹלְדֹת

Ben Norton named as member of the Sing Unto God Teen Songleading Fellowship

November 21, 2022/in Featured, Mazal Tov, News

We’re thrilled that Ben Norton is a member of the 2022-23 cohort of the Sing Unto God Teen Songleading Fellowship. Led by Cantor Rosalie Will, 21 teens from across North America will be meeting regularly over the next several months to sharpen their songleading, leadership, and community building skills. The Temple will be integrating Ben into the life of our community as we look to engage emerging leaders in our worship and work.

The Temple wants to give Ben a big Mazel Tov!

The SUG Teen Songleader Fellowship Program Overview

Open to 8th – 12th grade teens from across North America, this prestigious, application-only, 8-month fellowship includes both instructional and experiential learning:

  • A three-day retreat November 11-13, 2022, in synagogues in Baltimore. You’ll lead Friday night and Saturday morning worship for the congregation; master class with each other how to teach music; build religious school music rotations and lead them in real time on Sunday morning; and receive useful feedback from peers and congregation professionals.

  • Support from a local, on-the-ground staff mentor (clergy or educator) who will help you complete monthly “action assignments” such as teaching and leading music in your community, and will offer you professional development and support.

  • 8 monthly Zoom meetings from October through May with subject experts on teaching repertoire, pedagogy of working with early childhood students in music, religious school music rep and strategy, prayer and teen leadership, working with staff/professionals, how to memorize songs, how to choose repertoire, how to pivot and have “back-pocket” song plans, and more.

  • The opportunity to learn from a group of like-minded peers who share a love of singing Jewish music, building networks and friendships to last beyond the Fellowship.

  • Ongoing consideration for participation in future songleading gatherings and community programs and events as you move through your leadership journey.

Chayei Sarah – חַיֵּי שָׂרָה (Genesis 23:1−25:18)

November 18, 2022/in Torah Tidbit

This Week’s Torah Portion: Chayei Sarah – חַיֵּי שָׂרָה (Genesis 23:1−25:18)

Chayei Sarah completes the lives of both Sarah and Abraham. We open with Sarah’s burial and close with Abraham’s death.

“Abraham was old, advanced in age, and God had blessed Abraham in everything.” (Genesis 24:1)

What were the blessings in Abraham’s life? His life was filled with trials and tests of his faith in the divine, culminating in his near sacrifice of his beloved son Isaac.

Rabbi Neil J Loevinger explains based on midrashic interpretation, that at the end of Abraham’s life he had gained a deep self-knowledge and discipline; was able to experience harmony in his family; had enough material possessions so that he never suffered want; and came through life’s challenges with a sense of peace, a sense that the “tests” were not so dramatic anymore. “Everything,” in R. Levi’s interpretation, means all aspects of life, both the inner world and outward reality. It seems to imply a harmony between one’s spirituality and one’s situation.”

Torah implies that Abraham did not achieve this spiritual fulfillment until he was “advanced in age.”

While there is truth to the adage “older and wiser” there are many practices we might engage in at any age to work towards this sense of spiritual harmony. Through the practice of Jewish Spiritual Direction, both as a directee and a trained director and guide for others I have found a deep sense of connection and spiritual growth, and fullness. Jewish Spiritual Direction is a practice led by a trained director in one on one companionship or in a small group environment. Together we explore your life and notice the many ways the Divine shines through all of its aspects, from the basic day to day to life’s challenges and greatest joys.

Want to know more? Please reach out to Cantor Lauren. Let’s work together to discover “the blessings in everything.”

Parsha Chayei Sarah – חַיֵּי שָׂרָה Torah Summary:

Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah in order to bury his wife Sarah. (23:1-20) Abraham sends his servant to find a bride for Isaac. (24:1-9) Rebekah shows her kindness by offering to draw water for the servant’s camels at the well. (24:15-20) The servant meets Rebekah’s family and then takes Rebekah to Isaac, who marries her. (24:23-67) Abraham takes another wife, named Keturah. At the age of one hundred and seventy-five years, Abraham dies, and Isaac and Ishmael bury him in the cave of Machpelah. (25:1-11) Chayei Sarah – חַיֵּי שָׂרָה

Fill the Freezer Family Mitzvah Event

November 15, 2022/in Featured, News, Pictures

Thank you everyone for joining us with our Fill the Freezer Family Mitzvah Event! We estimated that we made more than 1400 cookies for our Clergy to bring to members in need. Thank you!

Event Description:

Sunday, November 13
Beginning after Religious School at noon
A Wonderful Family Mitzvah Event

After a two-year pause for COVID, please join us again for a family-friendly mitzvah event!

All adults and accompanied children are invited to help “fill our freezer” as we bake cookies together that our Clergy will bring to our congregants when they visit them throughout the year. A pizza lunch will be served in the Heideman Auditorium immediately following Religious School at 12:00 pm, and then baking will begin!

Thank you everyone for joining us with our Fill the Freezer Family Mitzvah Event! We estimated that we made more than 1400 cookies. Thank you! Sunday, November 13 Beginning after Religious School at noon A Wonderful Family Mitzvah Event After a two-year pause for COVID, please join us again for a family-friendly mitzvah event! All adults and accompanied children are invited to help “fill our freezer” as we bake cookies together that our Clergy will bring to our congregants when they visit them throughout the year. A pizza lunch will be served in the Heideman Auditorium immediately following Religious School at 12:00 pm, and then baking will begin!

Vayeira – וַיֵּרָא (Genesis 18:1–22:24)

November 11, 2022/in Torah Tidbit

This Week’s Torah Portion: Vayeira – וַיֵּרָא (Genesis 18:1–22:24)

“יהוה appeared to him (Avraham)” Genesis 18:1

“Looking up, he (Avraham) saw three figures standing near him. Perceiving this, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them” Genesis 18:2

God appears before Avraham, about to tell Avraham something, however, Avraham at the same time sees three strangers.

Who will Avraham attend to? Who would you choose to greet first?

Avraham choses the strangers, teaching us (As Maimonides comments on this verse) that hospitality to strangers surpasses attending to God.

Humans come first, always.

Parsha Vayeira – וַיֵּרָא Torah Summary:

Abraham welcomes three visitors, who announce that Sarah will soon have a son. (18:1-15) Abraham argues with God about the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. (18:16-33) Lot’s home is attacked by the people of Sodom. Lot and his two daughters escape as the cities are being destroyed. Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt. (19:1-29) Lot impregnates his daughters, and they bear children who become the founders of the nations Moab and Ammon. (19:30-38) Abimelech, king of Gerar, takes Sarah as his wife after Abraham claims that she is his sister. (20:1-18) Isaac is born, circumcised, and weaned. Hagar and her son, Ishmael, are sent away; an angel saves their lives. (21:1-21) God tests Abraham, instructing him to sacrifice Isaac on Mount Moriah. (22:1-19) Vayeira – וַיֵּרָא

Strength in Stability

November 7, 2022/in Strength In Mobile

My wife, Robin, and I have been Temple members for 40 years.  We raised our now adult sons here, attending  Trager ECEC, Religious and Hebrew School, celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs and Confirmations, and attended High Holy Day services — all traditional ways most members participate at The Temple. We utilized the services offered by The Temple, but we weren’t active in giving back.  We supported The Temple financially with our dues, but after other expenses from raising two children in the Jewish community, we only contributed to other fundraising efforts on occasion, and we didn’t have extra time to be active volunteers.

Four years ago, as my 60th Birthday approached, I decided to become a Bar Mitzvah.  After all, 60 is the new 13!  I studied with Rabbi Rapport, meeting weekly at his office at The Temple.  Walking through the building each week, my eyes were really opened to behind-the-scenes work among clergy, staff, and volunteers and the synergy of these relationships.  I became more aware of all The Temple had to offer, and my interest in becoming involved was piqued.  I had something to offer back to the place that was providing me the opportunity to explore my Judaism more deeply than ever before.

I reached out to then President, Reed Weinberg, and we began to look at how I could best serve The Temple. I am honored to now serve on the Board and Budget and Finance Committee.  Looking back, I remember the first time I looked over a monthly financial statement and my initial reaction was “Wow — The Temple is on very sound financial footing.” To be honest, I wasn’t always sure this was the case.  I also found the other volunteers at the table to be group of active, knowledgeable, and dedicated leaders who were breathing new energy and ideas into The Temple. I discovered so many strengths of The Temple. For starters, the fiscal guardianship of The Endowment and balanced budgets show operating surpluses. Both enable the Temple to reinvest in our infrastructure and operations and continually improve. I also learned that as we navigated Covid and transitioned to our new normal, annual contributions to ensure our sustainability and support of our congregants increased. These financial accomplishments and other strengths will be highlighted in future issues of the Bulletin.  I hope you will find, as I have, there is so much to take pride in at our Temple.

The top five revelations Bruce discovered by becoming more involved:

  1. Our financial stability is safeguarded by an active, knowledgeable, responsible Board
  2. Operations are continually improving through a dedication to reducing unnecessary spending, streamlining processes, and negotiating contracts
  3. Continued annual contributions to various endowment funds ensure the sustainability of The Temple
  4. The support of the congregation, even during the pandemic, continues to show the value The Temple is providing to members
  5. Capital improvements are made every year through the endowments and do not impact the balanced budget. Some of these include:
  • New festival windows at entrance
  • Restroom upgrades with painting, lighting, etc., especially the women’s entry foyer
  • Library updated, painted, and new lighting installed
  • New lobby look with painting, lighting, and furniture
  • New and updated landscaping around the campus, as well as the cemetery
  • Renovation of the columbarium at the cemetery
  • New LED lighting all around the Temple
  • Staff hallway with new flooring
  • New air conditioning unit for entire campus
  • New chairs for services
  • Enhanced engagement with members through mailings during Passover, HHD, and Hanukkah
  • Installed water bottle filling stations around The Temple
  • Purchased two Zoom rooms in order teach classes virtually
  • New sound system in the Sanctuary

Lech L’cha – לָךְ-לְךָ (Genesis 12:1−17:27)

November 4, 2022/in Torah Tidbit

This Week’s Torah Portion: Lech L’cha – לָךְ-לְךָ (Genesis 12:1−17:27)

God promises Avram our 1st ancestor:

“I will make of you a great nation,
And I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
And you shall be a blessing” Genesis 12:2

In God’s covenant with Avram, there is no mention of anything religious, God promises Avram to make him a great nation. God will also promise Avram the land, many children, and prosperity.

At its core, Judaism is about peoplehood and belonging to a community!

Being part of the people of Israel.

Parsha Lech L’cha – לָךְ-לְךָ Torah Summary:

Abram, Sarai, and Lot go to Canaan. (12:1-9) Famine takes them to Egypt, where Abram identifies Sarai as his sister in order to save his life. (12:10-20) Abram and Lot separate. Lot is taken captive, and Abram rescues him. (13:1-14:24) Abram has a son, Ishmael, with his Egyptian maidservant, Hagar. (16:1-16) God establishes a covenant with Abram. The sign of this covenant is circumcision on the eighth day following a male baby’s birth. (17:1-27) Lech L’cha – לָךְ-לְךָ God promises Avram our 1st ancestor: “I will make of you a great nation, And I will bless you; I will make your name great, And you shall be a blessing” Genesis 12:2 In God’s covenant with Avram, there is no mention of anything religious, God promises Avram to make him a great nation. God will also promise Avram the land, many children, and prosperity. At its core, Judaism is about peoplehood and belonging to a community! Being part of the people of Israel. Lech L’cha – לָךְ-לְךָ

Strength in Stability

November 1, 2022/in Strength In

My wife, Robin, and I have been Temple members for 40 years.  We raised our now adult sons here, attending  Trager ECEC, Religious and Hebrew School, celebrated their Bar Mitzvahs and Confirmations, and attended High Holy Day services — all traditional ways most members participate at The Temple. We utilized the services offered by The Temple, but we weren’t active in giving back.  We supported The Temple financially with our dues, but after other expenses from raising two children in the Jewish community, we only contributed to other fundraising efforts on occasion, and we didn’t have extra time to be active volunteers.

Four years ago, as my 60th Birthday approached, I decided to become a Bar Mitzvah.  After all, 60 is the new 13!  I studied with Rabbi Rapport, meeting weekly at his office at The Temple.  Walking through the building each week, my eyes were really opened to behind-the-scenes work among clergy, staff, and volunteers and the synergy of these relationships.  I became more aware of all The Temple had to offer, and my interest in becoming involved was piqued.  I had something to offer back to the place that was providing me the opportunity to explore my Judaism more deeply than ever before.

I reached out to then President, Reed Weinberg, and we began to look at how I could best serve The Temple. I am honored to now serve on the Board and Budget and Finance Committee.  Looking back, I remember the first time I looked over a monthly financial statement and my initial reaction was “Wow — The Temple is on very sound financial footing.” To be honest, I wasn’t always sure this was the case.  I also found the other volunteers at the table to be group of active, knowledgeable, and dedicated leaders who were breathing new energy and ideas into The Temple. I discovered so many strengths of The Temple. For starters, the fiscal guardianship of The Endowment and balanced budgets show operating surpluses. Both enable the Temple to reinvest in our infrastructure and operations and continually improve. I also learned that as we navigated Covid and transitioned to our new normal, annual contributions to ensure our sustainability and support of our congregants increased. These financial accomplishments and other strengths will be highlighted in future issues of the Bulletin.  I hope you will find, as I have, there is so much to take pride in at our Temple.

The top five revelations Bruce discovered by becoming more involved:

  1. Our financial stability is safeguarded by an active, knowledgeable, responsible Board
  2. Operations are continually improving through a dedication to reducing unnecessary spending, streamlining processes, and negotiating contracts
  3. Continued annual contributions to various endowment funds ensure the sustainability of The Temple
  4. The support of the congregation, even during the pandemic, continues to show the value The Temple is providing to members
  5. Capital improvements are made every year through the endowments and do not impact the balanced budget. Some of these include:
  • New festival windows at entrance
  • Restroom upgrades with painting, lighting, etc., especially the women’s entry foyer
  • Library updated, painted, and new lighting installed
  • New lobby look with painting, lighting, and furniture
  • New and updated landscaping around the campus, as well as the cemetery
  • Renovation of the columbarium at the cemetery
  • New LED lighting all around the Temple
  • Staff hallway with new flooring
  • New air conditioning unit for entire campus
  • New chairs for services
  • Enhanced engagement with members through mailings during Passover, HHD, and Hanukkah
  • Installed water bottle filling stations around The Temple
  • Purchased two Zoom rooms in order teach classes virtually
  • New sound system in the Sanctuary

Latest Bulletin

February 2023
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Latest Stories

  • Annual Hanukkah Dinner 2022December 19, 2022 - 9:00 am
  • Hanukkah LanternsDecember 18, 2022 - 9:00 am
  • Bagels and BelongingDecember 5, 2022 - 10:00 am
  • Religious School Hanukkah ShoppingDecember 5, 2022 - 9:00 am
  • Ben Norton named as member of the Sing Unto God Teen Songleading FellowshipNovember 21, 2022 - 4:26 pm
  • Fill the Freezer Family Mitzvah EventNovember 15, 2022 - 10:46 am
  • Rabbi Rabbi Joe Rooks Rapport’s CelebrationMay 24, 2022 - 9:22 am
  • Passover 2022 at The TempleApril 26, 2022 - 12:52 pm
  • The Temple Welcomes Cantor Lauren AdesnikFebruary 24, 2022 - 1:27 pm
  • An Appeal on Behalf of our CommonwealthDecember 14, 2021 - 4:44 pm

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