Thoughts & Teachings

Lessons from our synagogue
  • Rabbi Deborah Wechsler · Tu BiShevat

    The first time that our Rabbis taught us about Tu BiShevat they did so in the Mishna.  That magical book which pulled together all areas of Jewish life into one code.  From prayer to purity, from the festival cycle to the Temple service – nothing was beyond the reach of the Rabbis of the Mishnah.  In the first Mishnah of tractate Rosh Hashanah we learn that there are four new years.  Four opportunities to celebrate and mark time, to step back and reflect on... Read More

  • Rabbi Ron Shulman · Hanukkah: It's About the Light

    Hanukkah isn’t about the oil. Hanukkah is about the light! We symbolize that light of God’s presence on Hanukkah when we kindle our Hanukkiyot, celebrating our Festival of Lights. The legend about the oil is but that, a legend. No where is it recorded or remembered in the actual texts and histories of the Maccabees or the Bible. Told only in the Talmud hundreds of years later to embellish upon Hanukkah’s spiritual potential. Before there was Hanukkah there... Read More

  • Rabbi Deborah Wechsler · Parshat Toldot

    Esau does something which our tradition sees as reprehensible.  Parshat Toldot tells the story of Esau selling his birthright (his status as the first born) to Jacob for a bowl of lentil stew.  Our Rabbis find it outrageous that Esau would willingly abandon something so valuable for something so transitory. We see it as evidence of Esau’s bad character.  But we each have our own bowl of lentil stew, that thing which seemed at the time to be so attractive to... Read More

  • Rabbi Deborah Wechsler · Parshat Chaye Sarah

    Our parshah is framed by death. It begins with the death of Sarah at the age of 127 and ends with the death of Abraham at the age of 175 years.  But the parshah deals not with the death of Sarah as its central narrative concerning the end of her life. Rather the Torah is most interested in the search for a burial plot for her. After Sarah dies, Abraham sets out to find, not just a place to bury her, but what the Torah calls ahuzat kever, a burial plot that... Read More

  • Rabbi Deborah Wechsler · Parshat Noah

    Our first full week, our first regular week, after the holidays. It is time for us, like Noah, to open a window as we readjust to our new reality. Noah was a simple man, despite being unusual in his generation. A family man, without even a trade at the beginning of his life, he was dedicated to his family and tried to keep himself and them on a moral path, a path that was sometimes different from those around him.  So he was chosen to build an ark, to be a... Read More

  • Rabbi Deborah Wechsler · Sukkot

    In setting forth the parameters for a Sukkah our rabbis taught that it should be not smaller than 10 amah, about the height of a small man, and not larger than 20 amah, about the height of one floor of a building.  While the smallest possible size of a sukkah makes sense to us logically and halakhically, the upper size limit on the sukkah is surprising.  Why put a maximum limit on it?  Imagine the grandeur of a sukkah that reached the sky.  A skyscraper sukkah... Read More

  • Matt Freedman · Kavanah - Preparing for the High Holy Days

    I am a Ba’al Teshuvah. Not in the conventional social context but in the more literal sense that I was not brought up in a ritually observant family but I came to find that the richness of our tradition and rituals speaks to contemporary life in ways that astound and inspire me. My break with a secular-humanist life came on Yom Kippur 1985. As a secular family, Yom Kippur was the ideal time for a family vacation. As a self-identified Jewish family, we attended... Read More

  • Allison Baumwald · Kavanah - Preparing for the High Holy Days

    As the month of Elul approaches and it is time to start thinking about the holidays, the first thing comes to my mind is buying plane tickets.  With much of family still in the Michigan suburbs, we usually “split” the high holidays, staying here for either Rosh HaShanah or Yom Kippur and going “back home”  for the other.  At first, as a newcomer to Baltimore, I was much more excited about the holiday I would spend in Michigan.  Today, 8 years later, I truly... Read More

  • Randy Getz · Kavanah - Preparing for the High Holy Days

    I don't think I have ever consciously prepared for the High Holidays. The extent of my thoughts has been limited to anticipation of seeing family and friends at meals or shul, and strategizing about what to eat and drink before Kol Nidre to minimize the pain. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Once yuntif starts, however, I feel that I am quickly able to find some meaning in the day---by personal reflection, the external quest of prayers and melodies... Read More

  • Jill Max · Kavanah - Preparing for the High Holy Days

    I love September. The rituals of return:  to routine, to school, to preparation, to teaching and to learning. Last September was the first time in eleven years that I did not return to the classroom. The absence of this familiar ritual affected me profoundly.  The start of school and the promise and possibilities of the New Year were inextricably connected for me.  My opening lessons often centered around the customs of preparing for the Jewish new year. Making... Read More

Today's Services

9:15 AM Shabbat Morning Service

Young Families of Chizuk Retreat

9:15 AM Shabbat Service Schedule

10:00 AM Simhat Shabbat

January 28 4 Shevat

Our Next Shabbat

Sat, January 28

9:15 AM Shabbat Morning Service

Young Families of Chizuk Retreat

9:15 AM Shabbat Service Schedule

Fri, February 3

5:09 PM Candle Lighting

6:00 PM Oneg Shabbat/Minhah

6:15 PM Kabbalat Shabbat

7:30 PM Grade 3 Kabbalat Shabbat

Sat, February 4

9:15 AM Shabbat Morning Service

9:15 AM Shabbat Service Schedule

Recent Sermon

January 14, 2012

Sacred Waiting

Rabbi Deborah Wechsler

Transcript

Community Choir Rehearsal

January 29, 11:00 am

Programs

Inscribing Our Future - The Mitzvah of Torah: Closing Ceremony February 12th!

Inscribing Our Future - The Mitzvah of Torah: Closing Ceremony February 12th!

This Week's Events

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Prayer & Reflection

A community generated wall of prayers

  • As the Hebrew month of Shevat began this week for the Jewish year 5772, the Chinese celebrated their new year 4709, the year of the...

    As the Hebrew month of Shevat began this week for the Jewish year 5772, the Chinese celebrated their new year 4709, the year of the Dragon. In our nation, our leaders discussed the state of the union while in Egypt they marked the first anniversary of their revolt by holding Americans as political prisoners. Navy seals rescued Jessica Buchanan and Poul Hagen from Somali pirates, Joe Paterno passed away, and Gabby Giffords left congress to continue her recovery. Following an event filled week for others, we seek to remember all that we experienced and be reminded of the precious place for each of us in life. Mindful of many things, personal and global, this Shabbat we are thankful for the blessings of our lives and grateful for the challenges we face. We pray that our families and friends, the Jewish people and all of humanity may know blessings of goodness, life, and peace. Amen

    -Prayer for this Shabbat 1-28-12

  • We pray that the State of Israel, the dawn of our people's redemption, experience security and peace. May the light of our tradition's...

    We pray that the State of Israel, the dawn of our people's redemption, experience security and peace. May the light of our tradition's ideals guide Israel's people and leaders. May those who defend our people's historic homeland find strength, courage, and humanity in their task. May Israel and her neighbors know peace. Amen.

    -Prayer for Peace in Israel

  • May we always remember to see the good in others and to overlook their faults. In compassion and joy, may we grow closer to one another...

    May we always remember to see the good in others and to overlook their faults. In compassion and joy, may we grow closer to one another and ever nearer to God.

    -A Medieval Jewish Prayer

  • Source of life and love, on this Sukkot festival we are grateful. Mindful of the passing of the seasons, we give thanks for all that...

    Source of life and love, on this Sukkot festival we are grateful. Mindful of the passing of the seasons, we give thanks for all that shelters and sustains us, for all with whom we share our lives, and for the joy of our Jewish heritage. May the Sukkah of Peace cover all who need, and everyone in our world. Amen.

    -Hag Sukkot Sameah!

  • AS A KID, SITTING IN SHUL WITH MY FATHER AND MY ZAIDIE, I WAS FASCINATED BY THE WORDS OF THE UN'TANEH TOKEF PRAYER. THE IDEA OF ALL...

    AS A KID, SITTING IN SHUL WITH MY FATHER AND MY ZAIDIE, I WAS FASCINATED BY THE WORDS OF THE UN'TANEH TOKEF PRAYER. THE IDEA OF ALL MANKIND PASSING BEFORE GOD, AND BEING JUDGED EACH YEAR FOR INCLUSION IN THE BOOK OF LIFE IS PRETTY HEADY STUFF FOR A 10 YEAR OLD. NOW I'M THE ZAIDIE, AND TRUST ME, IT'S EVEN MORE HEADY. WITH THAT IN MIND, AS I STAND BEFORE YOU, GOD, TONIGHT TO EXPRESS MY PERSONAL KAVANAH, MY FIRST THOUGHTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN, AND ALWAYS WILL BE FOR MY FAMILY. EACH ONE OF US HAS HAD HIS OR HER OWN STRUGGLE BUT WITH THE LOVE AND STRENGTH OF OUR INCREDIBLE FAMILY, EACH HAS BEEN FORTUNATE TO COME THROUGH NOT MERELY UNSCATHED, BUT ACTUALLY STRONGER AND MORE APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT WE ARE AS A FAMILY.FOR THOSE BLESSINGS WE GIVE THANKS TO YOU, AND ASK FOR THE CONTINUED KINDNESS, MERCY AND COMPASSION THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED ON OUR FAMILY. GUARD US, GUIDE US AND PROTECT US. BUT, FOR SO MANY IN THE WORLD TODAY THE WORDS OF THE UN'TANEH TOKEF PRAYER,"WHO SHALL LIVE AND WHO SHALL DIE; WHO BY WATER AND WHO BY FIRE; WHO BY SWORD AND WHO BY BEAST; WHO BY FAMINE, AND WHO BY THIRST; WHO BY STORM AND WHO BY PLAGUE" HAVE REAL MEANING AND ARE NOT MERELY WORDS IN A PRAYER TO BE PERFUNCTORILY READ AND SPOKEN. I COME BEFORE YOU, GOD, TONIGHT TO ASK, IN THE SPIRIT OF TIKKUN OLAM, ON BEHALF OF THOSE ALL OVER THE WORLD NOT AS FORTUNATE AS OUR FAMILY, FOR THE STRENGTH TO DEAL WITH WHAT IT MEANS SIMPLY TO LIVE AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES EACH AND EVERY DAY. GUARD THEM, GUIDE THEM AND PROTECT THEM. THE UN'TANEH TOKEF PRAYER GOES ON: "WHO WILL BE DEGRADED AND WHO WILL BE EXALTED". IN THE HOPE THAT IT CAN LEAD TO EXALTATION AND NOT FURTHER DEGRADATION, PLEASE GIVE TO OUR ELECTED LEADERS, THE STRENGTH, WISDOM AND COURAGE TO PERFORM THE ROLES TO WHICH THEY WERE ELECTED; NOT TO PANDER TO IDEALOGUES OR TO GET THEMSELVES RE-ELECTED, BUT TO ACT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CITIZENS WHO ELECTED THEM. OR, IN THE WORDS OF A ONCE AGAIN JEWISH PHILOSOPHER, SHABTAI ZISEL BEN AVRAHAM, BETTER KNOWN TO US AS BOB DYLAN: "COME SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN; PLEASE HEED THE CALL; DON'T STAND IN THE DOORWAY; DON'T BLOCK UP THE HALL; FOR HE WHO GETS HURT; WILL BE HE WHO HAS STALLED." GUARD THEM, GUIDE THEM AND PROTECT THEM. SO, WITH ONLY 24 HOURS OR SO BEFORE WE CONCLUDE THE NE'ILAH SERVICE, THE END OF YOM KIPPUR, PLEASE ACCEPT OUR PRAYERS AND GRANT TO US AND ALL OF ISRAEL, A YEAR OF HEALTH, A YEAR OF GOOD AND A YEAR IN WHICH WE LIVE UP TO ALL THAT YOU REQUIRE OF US AND, PERHAPS EQUALLY AS IMPORTANT, ALL THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT OF OURSELVES. AMEN

    -Jan Guben

  • This Yom Kippur, seeking teshuvah and goodness, we bring to mind the circumstances of our lives and the condition of our world. As...

    This Yom Kippur, seeking teshuvah and goodness, we bring to mind the circumstances of our lives and the condition of our world. As we remember the year gone by, observing this sacred day motivates us to fill the days of this New Year with deeper awareness and gratitude. Today we turn within, seeking to be honest with ourselves in God’s presence. Where ought we change? How may we grow? What shall we renew? Teshuvah, return and repentance are our purpose. Selihah, forgiveness and reconciliation are our goal. We pray sincerely and humbly. When we return to life’s events and routines, may we bring goodness and love. Thankful for the many blessings of our lives and grateful for the challenges we face, we pray that the worthy desires of our hearts be fulfilled. In loving kindness, may our iniquities be pardoned. May we each be remembered for good and for life, endowed with health and vigor, living a year of achievement and serenity. We pray that our families and friends, the Jewish people and all of humanity may know blessings of goodness, life, and peace. Amen.

    -G'mar Tov - A Prayer for Yom Kippur

  • This Yom Kippur we think of our loved ones, families and friends, whose holy day is observed in hospital or home, responding to illness...

    This Yom Kippur we think of our loved ones, families and friends, whose holy day is observed in hospital or home, responding to illness or grief, as their reflection on life's meaning in this New Year expresses itself in the challenge to care, to support, to remember, and always, to love. May the goodness of this sacred season bring them healing of spirit and of body. May all know a measure of contentment and holiday. Amen.

    -Thinking of Others

  • As we welcome a New Year, may we welcome one another with warmth and happiness. May we express our heartfelt prayers with kavanah....

    As we welcome a New Year, may we welcome one another with warmth and happiness. May we express our heartfelt prayers with kavanah. May we enjoy the company of family, friends, and our synagogue community these High Holy Days. May our lives be healthy and content. May our world be filled with goodness and peace. Yehi ratzon sh’t-hadesh aleinu shanah tovah u’m-tukah! May it be God’s will to renewfor us a year of goodness and sweetness!

    -L'Shanah Tovah!

  • We delight that our students and teachers return to school happy after a productive, enjoyable summer. We pray their learning and friendship...

    We delight that our students and teachers return to school happy after a productive, enjoyable summer. We pray their learning and friendship brings them excitement and helps them grow. May it be a good and creative school year for all.

    -Welcome Back

  • I pray, along with my family and friends, for complete healing for my father. Relieve his suffering and anguish and lead him to hope...

    I pray, along with my family and friends, for complete healing for my father. Relieve his suffering and anguish and lead him to hope and healing. Give him strength to continue and my mother the wisdom and fortitude to deal with these medical issues. Send him only love...

    -A loving daughter

  • We pray for a safe return from Israel for the entire 8th grade. It has been a wonderful trip for our children.

    We pray for a safe return from Israel for the entire 8th grade. It has been a wonderful trip for our children.

    -Tamie and David Flax

  • We pray that you will keep Justin safe through his surgery and healing.  We pray for his renewed health and happiness.

    We pray that you will keep Justin safe through his surgery and healing.  We pray for his renewed health and happiness.

    -Lisa Cohen & Steven Buchoff

  • We say in the Amidah, “Open my lips and I will speak your praise. Open my heart to your Torah and I will do Your mitzvot.” This...

    We say in the Amidah, “Open my lips and I will speak your praise. Open my heart to your Torah and I will do Your mitzvot.” This is our prayer: May God bless us with Abraham’s vision, with Isaac’s independence, and with Jacob’s willingness to wrestle with difficult questions. As God blessed our patriarchs, may God bless us with loyalty, leadership, and faith. May God bless us with Sarah’s laughter, with Rebecca’s kindness, with Rachel’s love, and with Leah’s wisdom. As God blessed our matriarchs, may God bless us with strength, gratitude, righteousness, and determination. Eternal, with your blessings, our ancestors built a nation. And with your blessings, generations have carried on our traditions. May we, who are so blessed, share our blessings within our community and throughout the world. Amen.

    -Debbi and Emily

  • A prayer for my family, undergoing many changes in the next few months: sons, grandsons, and myself.

    A prayer for my family, undergoing many changes in the next few months: sons, grandsons, and myself.

    -Dvorah

  • I pray for the man outside Penn Station, in a wheel chair, whose leg is amputated and who sits outside in the freezing cold. I pray...

    I pray for the man outside Penn Station, in a wheel chair, whose leg is amputated and who sits outside in the freezing cold. I pray for my son. I pray for the fishermen. 

    -anonymous