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Voices: JRC's Congregational Blog

Parshat Lech Lecha: Places and Names

Parshat Lech Lecha: Places and Names

November 9, 2024 D’var by JRC member Vickie Korey Lech Lecha is the third parsha in the book of Genesis. In the beginning, there is Creation. The first through seventh days and nights are created. The Sabbath is designated, man and woman are created, sins are noted,...

Parshat Eikev (Summer 2023 JRC Member D’vrei Torah Series)

Parshat Eikev (Summer 2023 JRC Member D’vrei Torah Series)

Shabbat Shalom! This week’s Torah portion, Eikev, is the third section of the Book of Deuteronomy, where Moses continues his second farewell address to the Israelites and urges them to observe even what appear to be minor commandments. Moses then continues his review...

Parsha Eikev (Summer 2024 JRC Member D’vrei Torah Series)

Parsha Eikev (Summer 2024 JRC Member D’vrei Torah Series)

The defining structure of this parsha is repetition. We have encountered everything in this parsha, more than once. As if someone is either phoning it in, being paid by the word, or are afraid the message was lost in translation. Considering how many times the...

D’var D’varim (Summer 2024 JRC Member D’vrei Torah Series)

D’var D’varim (Summer 2024 JRC Member D’vrei Torah Series)

August 9, 2024 D'var by Susan Stone How many of us have schmoozed with a friend about a recent vacation? WE tell the highlights… the ups and downs…The disappointing parts..getting lost, grouchy tourists…museums closed when you arrive, etc. …. and the elation..meeting...

Parshat Bamidbar (JRC Board Meeting D’vrei Torah)

Parshat Bamidbar (JRC Board Meeting D’vrei Torah)

June 5, 2024 D'var by member Emily Harris Parshat Bamidbar is the first Parsha in the book of “numbers”, which gets its name because of the census in this opening chapter.  But according to the commentary in the Etz Hayim Torah, “its proper Hebrew designation, from...

Naso (Summer 2024 JRC Member D’vrei Torah Series)

Naso (Summer 2024 JRC Member D’vrei Torah Series)

June 14th, 2024 D'var by Stan Cohn Shabbat shalom everyone. So, let me give you the scoop upfront. The Torah portion tonight is really all about holiness. Now, some will tell me "That's Naso!" And I will say - you're exactly right, it is the portion Naso. But truly,...

The Joy That Makes Up Our Life Story (Kol Nidre 5785 Sermon by Rabbi Rachel Weiss)

The Joy That Makes Up Our Life Story (Kol Nidre 5785 Sermon by Rabbi Rachel Weiss)

How might we describe our feeling of being proud, of being spiritually replenished and filled because our Judaism is a source of nourishment? What words capture the feeling when we leave a meaningful life cycle ritual and know that we are connected to people who have carried on our traditions for millenia? What’s the word for fully-formed Jewish summer camp songs that pour out of nowhere and suddenly we feel part of the same tribe? What counterbalances the shame of antisemitism?

It’s Jewish Joy.

How Are You? (Rosh Hashanah 5785 Sermon by Rabbi Rachel Weiss)

How Are You? (Rosh Hashanah 5785 Sermon by Rabbi Rachel Weiss)

This year, the most difficult question to answer has been, “How are you?” We often simply connect with “fine, how are you?” but reality for many of us has felt far from fine and connections far from simple. What underlies this casual interaction is the fact that many usual relationships have become fraught and heavy. Not only the world post October 7th, but largely because what has emerged is a new wave of permeating fear and antisemitism.