Dear Friends: You probably noticed that a week ago today you did not get my “Rabbi’s Update” in the morning or the Shabbat Shalom email...

Dear Friends: Until fairly recently, the questionnaire that Conservative congregations filled out when they were looking to hire a new...

Dear Friends: Is it strange that every year as it gets colder I look forward to the release of Starbucks’ “Christmas Blend”, which is one...

Dear Friends I spent several weeks in Australia during July, August, and September of 1985. It was the summer before my final year of...

Dear Friends: Last night I had the interesting experience of attending a dinner and discussion program with Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa,...

Dear Friends: In my message a week ago today, I mentioned in passing that Shearith Israel Congregation in New York not only celebrates...

Dear Friends: On Wednesday I explored the spectrum of American Orthodox perspectives on whether or not it is permissible to celebrate...

Dear Friends: Next Thursday, November 28, is Thanksgiving. Our office will be closed and both minyan and Adult Education will be...

Dear Friends: About a month ago, the Jewish publication Forward published a somewhat tongue-in-cheek article  unveiling a major “scoop.”...

Dear Friends: Last Thursday 0ur Adult Education classes resumed after a break for the summer and then the holidays of Tishrei. We began...

Dear Friends: A number of friends and colleagues who have had the occasion to teach either “Introduction to Judaism” or “Introduction to...

Dear Friends: My Facebook “Memories” reminded me this morning that it was three years ago today according to the secular calendar that my...

Dear Friends: Last week we began reading the Torah anew. The first verse we actually read this past Shabbat morning was Genesis 5:1: ...

Dear Friends: Tonight and tomorrow is the yahrzeit of approximately 1200 Israelis massacred by Hamas on October 7, 2023. The events of...

Dear Friends: On Monday night along with about 6,000 of my closest friends I attended a ceremony commemorating the first anniversary of...

This morning, various brief notes that will make the High Holidays better for you and your fellow Kehilat Shalom congregants: Selichot:...

Dear Friends: The documentary “We Will Dance Again” about the October 7 massacre at the Nova Dance Festival in Israel started streaming...

Dear Friends: This morning, various brief notes as we move towards Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: Selichot: Next Saturday night we will...

Dear Friends: Did you know that Montgomery County is the most religiously diverse county in the United States? I recently came across an...

Dear Friends:   There is a Chasidic story about a person who was always spreading gossip and rumors. One day the rabbi of the town called...