Rabbi’s Update 5/8/2026

Dear Friends:

A few updates:

1.) Later today I will be joining other area Conservative rabbis to meet with two of our Israeli colleagues from the Masorti Movement, the Israeli counterpart of our Conservative Movement (the word “Masorti” means Traditional). Rabbi Doron Rubin is the CEO of the Masorti Movement and Rabbi Mikie Goldstein is the Director of Resource Development. (Rabbi Goldstein also holds the distinction of being the first gay rabbi ordained by the Schechter Rabbinical Seminary in Jerusalem and to serve as rabbi of a Masorti congregation prior to his current position.) I am looking forward to a first-hand discussion of the current situation in Israel generally and of the Masorti Movement specifically. I will try to find opportunities to share our discussion with you over the next couple of weeks, both in writing and from the pulpit, whether on Zoom or in person.

2.) By popular demand, I will be presenting a new Adult Education course called The Essential Kabbalah starting next Thursday night.

Kabbalah represents the "inner dimension" of the Torah, serving as the Jewish mystical tradition that explores the profound relationship between the Infinite (Ein Sof) and our finite world. Within a Conservative framework, it is often viewed as a vital layer of our intellectual and spiritual heritage that provides a symbolic language for the mysteries of the Divine. By mapping the Sefirot—the ten attributes through which God’s energy flows into the universe—Kabbalah offers a framework for understanding the human condition and the power of our intentions (kavanah). It elevates the performance of mitzvot from mere routine to a partnership with the Creator, suggesting that through our ethical and ritual acts, we participate in Tikkun Olam, the ongoing process of repairing the world and revealing the hidden holiness within all things.

We will be using the book The Essential Kabbalah by Dr. Daniel C. Matt. The Essential Kabbalah is a translated and annotated anthology which offers insightful accounts of the primary aspects of Jewish mysticism, including Ein Sof (the radical transcendence of God), the Sefirot (the ten divine attributes), and the Shekhinah (the feminine aspect of God). Selections of text are rendered with clarity and an eye for the magical. The Essential Kabbalah is a crucial and momentous contribution to the normally esoteric world of Jewish mysticism.

While you can purchase the book from Amazon or other booksellers, the selections we use will be screenshared during each session.

The course will meet right after minyan Thursday nights May 14, May 28, June 11. June 25. If there is sufficient interest, the class will continue in the Fall.

3.) The holiday of Shavuot, which marks the revelation at Mt. Sinai, begins on Thursday night, May 21. Our regular 7:45 weekday minchah (afternoon service) will be followed by evening service for the first day of Shavuot. After that service ends at around 8:15 or 8:20, I will be offering a brief study session of Kabbalistic teachings about revelation. All of this will be on Zoom only.

On Friday morning May 22, services for the first day of Shavuot will be on Zoom only, beginning at 9:30.

Evening services for Shabbat and the second day of Shavuot will be Friday night May 22 at 6:45 on Zoom. Morning services with Rabbi Arian and Hazzan Komrad will include the recitation of the Yizkor service and will be in person and on Zoom at 9:30 on Saturday, May 23,

If you or someone you know is in need because of having been laid off, or has  lost benefits of some type and needs immediate help, please let me know. I can access limited funds through the Jewish Federation almost immediately. For longer-term help, the Hebrew Free Loan Society will loan up to $18,000 interest-free and the Jewish Federation has set up a hotline to  access assistance at 703-JCARING.

As a reminder, I am having drop-in hours on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4 at the shul. For my drop-in hours, you do not need to make an appointment -- that would negate the whole point of drop-in hours -- but I’d urge you to check and make sure I am there regardless as sometimes there are unavoidable pastoral or other emergencies which might take me away from the building. 

As always, if I can do anything for you or you need to talk, please contact me at rabbi@kehilatshalom.org rather than through the synagogue office. I am happy to meet you at the synagogue by appointment; if you want to speak with me it’s best to make an appointment rather than assuming I will be there when you stop by. 

Additionally, if you know of a Kehilat Shalom congregant or another member of our Jewish community who could use a phone call, please let me know.

L’shalom,

Rabbi Charles L. Arian