D’var Torah Parashat Vayechi
by George Gazarek Being a young man who spent thirty years as a Christian, twenty-six years as an agnostic, and fourteen years as a Jew, I sometimes reflect on my …
“Better Gods” Gives Operatic Life to a Little-Known Chapter in History
by Rabbi Arnold Saltzman Writing an opera on the history of Hawaii is a bold endeavor, as it explores a history and culture less familiar to us, yet of significance …
D’var Torah Parashat Lech Lecha
by George Gazarek This week’s Torah Portion opens with The Eternal telling Abram, “Lech lecha” – go forth –“to a land that I will show you,” to Canaan. Famine sends …
D’var Torah Parashat Chayei Sarah
by Suzanne Darby This week’s Torah portion is Chayei Sarah, Genesis 23:1−25:18. It is the only parasha named for a woman. Although its name means “Life of Sarah,” the portion …
D’var Torah – Rosh Hashanah 5776
by Suzanne Darby Rosh Hashanah — why do we observe this day? Be-cause the Torah tells us we are commanded by God. In Leviticus, Chapter 23, Verse 23, the Lord …
Rabbi’s Sermon “And We Cried Out!”
Kol Nidre/Yom Kippur 5776 by Rabbi Arnold Saltzman Vanitzʼak is a word found in several verses of the Torah. It means ʻand we cried out!ʼ This is a year for …
Rabbi’s Sermon – Rosh Hashanah 5776
by Rabbi Arnold Saltzman Today, we celebrate the birthday of the world. In spiritual and biblical counting devised by the rabbis we are beginning 5776 years since the biblical telling …
D’var Torah – Yom Kippur 2015
by George Gazarek These are the days of awe. Two years ago I stood up here and talked about the awesome miracle of how the great trees grow from just …
D’var Torah Parashat Nitzavim-Vayalech
by George Gazarek I’d like to focus on two verses in this week’s portion [September 12-19]. The first is Chapter 31, Verse 19, in the Book of Deuteronomy, where God …
New Years Message from Rabbi Arnold Saltzman
Rabbi Arnold Saltzman Dear Congregants, The Jewish New Year is rapidly approaching and there is much preparation and reflection to occupy our minds at this time of the year. The …