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!
November 14, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh,
I've experienced many firsts in my time at Beth Mordecai, from lifecycle events to preaching, teaching, and organizing. But none of these firsts can compare to another first that I experienced while being at Beth Mordecai...the first time I became a father.
The wonderful highlights (and rare lowlights) of first year of fatherhood are too numerous and overwhelming to describe in a simple journal. But what I can share is that during this journey, it feels like every step (literally) is a major lifecycle event, every conversation is a chance to teach (and sometimes preach), and every moment is replete with the little details that need to be organized.
And as I reflect on this first year, I realize how Beth[...]
Category : Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Shabbat Tag : birthday celebration community family father grateful gratefulness rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat message
July 22, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Parashat Mattot 2014/5774 (Triennial 1): Insights on the Road to War
Much of our attention this week is focused on the situation in Israel and the Gaza strip. As Israeli troops enter Gaza to protect the Israeli people from Kassam rockets, we read in this week's Torah portion (Mattot) of a different war, this one between the Israelites and the Midianites (Numbers Chapter 31). Are there any insights from this week's reading that will help us understand the issues of war and provide some insight on the challenges facing Israeli troops as they enter this conflict? Join us for this timely lesson!
Photo taken from Wikipedia -- http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Portal:Bible/Featured_article/2008
Category : Online Learning Online Parashah Class Tag : family Gaza Hamas IDF israel Midianites Moabites online learning online parashah class war
April 4, 2014 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh,
When I was in rabbinical school, we talked a good deal about the language we use to describe our communities. One of the terms that got tossed around a lot was "family." It's a word that connotes a feeling of closeness, of connection, of security, and of a deep and powerful bond that holds us together. Yet there is a certain amount of poetic license in describing our synagogue community as a family. Not only are most of us not related, but despite the close bonds that some of us feel with one another, do we really have such strong ties that each of us would call each other "family"?
Personally, I've tried to be cognizant of how often I describe[...]
Category : Family Shabbat Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Shabbat Tag : aspiration comfort family family shabbat intergenerational rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat support wisdom
December 5, 2013 By bethmordecai no comments.
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Category : Kidz Korner Online Learning Torah Teachings Tag : family family reunion jewish values joseph kidz korner parashat vayigash survival torah teaching values
December 3, 2013 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh,
Last night, I had one of the most memorable Hanukkah experiences of my life as I celebrated the Festival of Lights with my family, my neighbors, and my Jewish community. It wasn't that one particular moment stood out (though I really enjoyed sharing the story of Hanukkah with 3rd and 4th grade Perth Amboy students), but rather that the overall experience of lighting the candles with so many groups of people truly exemplified the meaning of the mitzvah of pirsumei nisah, of publicizing the miracle of Hanukkah.
The rabbis teach us that the purpose of lighting candles is to share the miracle with everyone around us, which is why we are supposed to light the candles as early as[...]
Category : Hanukkah Middlesex Jewish News Perth Amboy News Rabbi's Journal Rubber Duck Race Tag : choir family hanukkah jewish community miracle neighbors perth amboy pirsumei nisa פרסומי ניסא
November 29, 2013 By bethmordecai no comments.
DAY 517: The Meaning of Love V'ahavta et Adonai Elohekha וְאָהַבְתָּ אֶת ה' אֶלֹקֶיך You shall love the Lord Your God (Deut 6:5) V'ahavta L'reiakha Kamokha וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעָךָ כָּמוֹך You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:15) Dear Hevreh, Love is one of the most powerful words we have at our disposal -- just ask any couple how the first time they said "I love you" to one another changed their relationship forever. Whether it's through our own experience or through our culture, we are quite aware of the emotional power of love. Yet, in addition to[...]
Category : Rabbi's Journal Tag : bris commitment emotion family love passion sh'ma
December 9, 2012 By bethmordecai no comments.
Dear Hevreh,
Well, it's official. Beth Mordecai has successfully invaded Barnes and Noble! In partnership with PJ Library of Middlesex Federation and Barnes and Noble of Menlo Park, we had a wonderful event with crafts, songs, and Hanukkah stories. There were 7-8 families who had their kids take part in the event (for a total of around 10 kids), many of whom are currently unaffiliated. One family is already planning on coming to the Hanukkah party and another expressed great interest in our Hebrew School program called Project Jewish Living. We will be following up with the families in the next couple of days, but most importantly we provided them with a positive Jewish experience that[...]
Category : Events Hanukkah Kidz Korner Rabbi Rabbi's Journal Tag : barnes and noble crafts family hanukkah kidz korner rabbi rabbi's journal reading