Author: Congregation Beth El

Gratitude for Freedom

November 6, 2025

Thank God. Thank God the hostages are home. If we had not gotten them back now, two weeks ago as of this writing, I certainly would have been here speaking …

American Maccabee: Theodore Roosevelt & the Jews

November 4, 2025

President Theodore (“Teddy”) Roosevelt (1858-1919) is famous as a conservationist, a “trust-buster” of business monopolies, an advocate for consumer protections, and the inspiration for the beloved stuffed toy, the teddy …

Risking Life for Art

November 4, 2025

The iconic World War II film, The Train, asks whether it is moral to risk human lives to save art. In an early scene, a French Resistance leader initially refuses to …

Food Tourah: A Food Tour through the Torah

October 9, 2025

New year – renewed initiative!  Because life so often happens around food, we are again spending a year exploring the weekly parshiot and finding connections to each week’s Shabbat dinner/Shabbat …

Food Tourah: VeZot HaBerakhah

October 9, 2025

Because life so often happens around food, we spent the year exploring the weekly parshiot and finding connections to each week’s Shabbat menu. This week we complete the 54th and …

Building Connection with Israel, Together

October 6, 2025

Some may think the above headline would apply to the physical rebuilding of battered communities across Israel – from kibbutzim near the southern edge of Gaza, to small towns bordering …

Food Tourah: Ha’azinu

September 30, 2025

Because life so often happens around food, we’re spending the year exploring the weekly parshiot and finding connections to each week’s Shabbat menu. 53 parshiot down, only 1 more to …

A New Day for Nir Oz as Two Heroes Return

September 26, 2025

The latest chapter in the Kesher Nir Oz partnership took place on September 7 at the Bender JCC as our community welcomed returned hostage and hero of Israel, Gadi Moses, (age …

Food Tourah: Vayelech

September 25, 2025

Because life so often happens around food, we’re spending the year exploring the weekly parshiot and finding connections to each week’s Shabbat menu. 52 parshiot down, 2 more to go! …

Food Tourah: Ki Tavo

September 10, 2025

Because life so often happens around food, we’re spending the year exploring the weekly parshiot and finding connections to each week’s Shabbat menu. 50 parshiot down, 4 more to go! …