Congregation Beth Mordecai
Congregation Beth Mordecai
An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
An inclusive congregation affiliated with the Conservative Movement.
Your Jewish Home for the Soul!
March 5, 2020 By Beth Mordecai no comments.
Following the description of the structure of the Tabernacle last week in Parashat Terumah, our portion, Tetzaveh, leads off with a depiction of the High Priest’s “sacral vestments” - the choshen hamishpat (breastplate of decision), the ephod, a robe, a fringed tunic, a headdress, and a sash. Classical commentators describe the purpose of those pieces of clothing is to elevate the holiness of Aharon, the High Priest, Kohen Gadol. Those items were made specifically for holy use. They are different and set apart from other articles of clothing. They were made with great care out of precious materials to be both beautiful and awe-inspiring. However, there were also specific elements of the sacral vestments that God commanded be included, not because of[...]
Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Shabbat Uncategorized
January 12, 2020 By Beth Mordecai no comments.
Sunday, January 26, at 1 p.m. – Lunch and a Movie
Join us at Beth Mordecai for good food and a great movie. We will be watching the Hitchcock classic, "The Man Who Knew Too Much."
$18 per person includes the movie and a Kosher Chinese lunch.. Please RSVP with payment to Rabbi.SaraMetz@gmail.com. Event payments can be made here.
Category : Entertainment Uncategorized
November 1, 2018 By Beth Mordecai no comments.
Our parsha is called, Chaye Sarah, after the first three words that begin this section. The tex, Genesis Chapter 23:1 states: וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ חַיֵּ֣י שָׂרָ֔ה מֵאָ֥ה שָׁנָ֛ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְשֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים שְׁנֵ֖י חַיֵּ֥י שָׂרָֽה And the life of Sarah was one hundred years and twenty years and seven years; (these were) the years of the life of Sarah. Our Torah text speaks of Sarah’s life twice in just this one sentence. Even in the announcement of her death, Sarah’s life is emphasized. Tree of Life Synagogue suffered an unimaginable tragedy this week. 11 souls, lost their lives in shul. They and we are mourning a loss of innocent life. Yet as we mourn, we honor their lives. Let us gather in the memory of Joyce Fienberg, Richard Gottfried, Rose[...]
Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Torah Teachings Uncategorized
December 5, 2017 By bethmordecai no comments.
• Wednesday, December 13th
Ask the Rabbi
At Menlo Park Mall Food Court (near Panera).
• Friday, December 15th
Hanukkah Shabbat Pot Luck
• Saturday, December 16th
Traditional Shabbat Service
• Sunday, December 17th
Hanukkah Book Reading
At Menlo Park Barnes & Noble.
– Click title link for details and all ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Category : Uncategorized
December 29, 2015 By bethmordecai no comments.
[audio m4a="http://bethmordecai.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Circumcision-Blessings.m4a"][/audio]
Category : Learning Uncategorized Tag : circumcision
November 5, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
SAVE THE DATE to join us for a SPECIAL Shabbat evening in New York City as we visit B'nai Jeshrun, one of the most successful egalitarian synagogues in the country, to experience their unique Friday night service. We will also discuss B'nai Jeshrun's Argentinian roots as we further prepare for our synagogue trip to Argentina in November 2015. Dinner will be included -- LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE so please rsvp below (please add name and email in "Comments") or at officebethmordecai@gmail.com (Price TBD). SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMMING 5:45 pm -- Private meeting with Rabbi Marcelo Bronstein on B'nai Jeshrun's Argentinian roots (Reception room of BJ's offices at 270 West 89th Street) 6:15 pm -- Service at B'nai Jeshrun (257 West 88th Street) Dinner to follow at place[...]
Category : Uncategorized What's Been Happening at Beth Mordecai
August 5, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh,
Last night, our community gathered with Marlboro Jewish Center, Temple Beth Ahm, and Congregation Beth Ohr for a special communal observance of Tisha B'av. A number of the rabbis, including myself, had an opportunity to teach a little about the holiday prior to readingM'gillat Eikhah. I was particularly fascinated by the teaching of Rabbi Lisa Malik on the story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, perhaps the most famous story related to the destruction of the second Temple.
The story, which you can find here, seemed pregnant with such meaning that I took the time today with one of our members to study it in more depth. (By the way, please feel free to drop in during[...]
Category : Holidays Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Tishah B'av Uncategorized Tag : Bar Kamtza Congregation Beth Ahm Congregation Beth Ohr destruction fasting holidays jerusalem Kamtza Marlboro Jewish Center rabbi Rabbi Lisa Malik Rabbi Michael Pont Rabbi Yochanan Rabbi Yohanan rabbi's journal talmud Temple tisha b'av tishah b'av zealotry
July 18, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Parashat Korah 2014/5774 (Triennial I) Israel: The Only Land of Milk and Honey
Today's learning will be for the sake of adding the light of Torah to the efforts undertaken to safely bring home Naftali Fraenkel, Eyal Yifrah, and Gilad Shaar.
In this week's Torah portion, the rebellious Korah challenges Moses by saying "Is it not enough that you brought us from a land flowing with milk and honey (i.e. Egypt) to have us die in the wilderness?" (Numbers 16:13). But isn't Israel the only land of milk and honey? We'll investigate how the Panim Yafot (an 18th Century rabbi from Poland & Germany)[...]
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Uncategorized Tag : honey israel korach korah milk online learning online parashah class panim yafot terrorism קרח
May 2, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
An Open Letter from a Rabbi to Commissioner David Stern: A Jewish Response to David Sterling Posted on State of Formation on May 2nd, 2014
Category : Uncategorized
April 18, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Shabbat Hol Ha-Moed Passover 2014/5774: Time for a Festival In the portion for this Shabbat of Hol Ha-Moed Passover, we read the term "moed" as it refers to the holiday of Passover...or as it refers to the time of Aviv (Spring). So which is it? Does "moed" mean "festival" or "time"? We will explore this question as it will help us understand the unique qualities of Jewish festivals like Passover and how these holidays have special significance for us today. Classes from other years...Shabbat Hol Ha-Moed Passover 2013/5773 -- Keeping Shabbat in Passover
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Uncategorized Tag : akitu bounty chizkuni ear festival food grain grateful harvest hizkuni hol hamoed joy keter yonatan moed online learning online parashah class passover shabbat time חזקוני כתר יונתן מועד עת פסח