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All Israel

This week we begin reading from the book of Deuteronomy, a special marker in the history of our people. The Israelites are completing their journey through the wilderness, having spent 40 years creating a community, a people. Moses, who has learned he will not be permitted to enter the Promi…

Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders

Moses spoke to Adonai, saying, "Let Adonai, Source of the breath of all flesh, appoint someone over the community who shall go out before them and come in before them and who shall take them out and bring them in, so that Adonai's community may not be like sheep that have no shepherd." (Numb…

Extending a Hand of Friendship

I prepared this message before the world learned of the horrific attack in Nice, France, that took the lives of over 80 people, a large proportion of whom were children. Once again, the flow of tears washes over us as we try to make sense of the continual display of hatred in our world. Our …

Standing Up for Our Heritage

Yesterday morning, members and friends of the Jewish community gathered at Dreyfus Lodge Cemetery, a Jewish cemetery in Hartford's Frog Hollow neighborhood, with a sacred purpose. In a ceremony led by Rabbi Philip Lazowski, Rabbi Emeritus of Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield, we gathered t…

Tending the Flame for Tomorrow

Image Credit: Noam Chen/JFNA

The Torah is filled with vivid imagery, inspiring stories and so many layers of meaning ­ providing ample opportunities for each of us to find what is most relevant and significant. It is a gift that provides direction, purpose, and the moral and ethical guidep…