Unfinished, not broken
01/20/2021 05:08:37 PM
There is a painful, tragic gap between who we are and who we imagine ourselves to be.
We stand in that gap as individuals, we stand in that gap as families, and we stand in that gap as a nation.
We see ourselves as fit, yet the scale tells us otherwise.
We see ourselves as kind, yet the pain in our loved ones eyes tells us otherwise.
We see ourselves as...Read more...
Tu B'shevat: Meaning & Opportunities
01/13/2021 11:45:13 AM
Towards the end of January, we'll celebrate Tu B'shevat, the Jewish holiday often thought of as the New Year for Trees.
The name of the holiday is actually its date, like the Fourth of July in English. “Tu” is a pronunciation of the Hebrew letters for the...Read more...
Turning Outward
01/06/2021 01:54:49 PM
As we move into 2021, it is more important than ever that we tend to the social fabric of our community. I have been so heartened by the many folks from our community who have contributed to Beacon Mutual Aid, the Hudson Valley Food Bank and American Jewish World Service in the closing days of 2020.
The Torah teaches that “One who oppresses the poor blasphemes the Creator, and one that is gracious to the...Read more...
Ending Fundraising Early
12/24/2020 04:53:12 PM
Way, way back in the day, the Israelites gave of their treasures to build the mishkan, the sanctuary that was our communal home in the desert.
The people were moved to tremendous generosity, and ultimately, Moshe had to tell the people that the artisans had what they needed and the people should stop bringing gifts.
Unbelievably, that is the happy position we at Beacon Hebrew Alliance find...Read more...
Volunteering to feed the hungry
12/16/2020 12:07:54 PM
This winter promises to be a difficult one, particularly for folks who are already stretched thin. The Food Pantry at St Andrew and St Luke is already a lifeline for many, and we anticipate many more people will be looking for support this winter.
In the...Read more...
Hanukkah 2020: Online, In Person & At Home
12/09/2020 03:43:07 PM
Hanukkah begins tomorrow night (Thursday, December 10) and even though things are of course different this year, we will have opportunities to celebrate together, both online and in person.
On-line, we’ll be lighting the...Read more...
Celebrating Together, But Apart
12/02/2020 11:10:11 AM
December is a big celebration month around BHA - in addition to our Bicycle Menorah and Menorah Meander (for members only) we celebrate the birthdays of both Cantor Ellen and Rabbi Brent. Take a moment to check out this little video from our favorite members of the puppet clergy and help us all celebrate together, but apart.
Donate to the BHA Kol Nidrei Campaign below:
Loss and Longing at Thanksgiving
11/24/2020 06:18:53 PM
This is a hard Thanksgiving.
At a certain level, every Thanksgiving is hard, saturated with a whitewashed myth of brotherly love between Native peoples and European colonists. More information about the history of thanksgiving can be found here.
Read more...
Rolling into Kislev
11/18/2020 04:26:21 PM
Dear Friends:
One of the most wonderful Jewish legends teaches that despite setbacks, the world endures thanks to the efforts of 36 hidden righteous people. They are known as the lamed vav tzadikim, and not only do we not know who they are, but they don’t know who they...Read more...
Pretender to the Throne
11/11/2020 12:17:23 PM
Thousands of years ago, when the reign of King David was coming to an end, there was a succession problem which we read about in this weeks haftorah.
Adonia, David’s vain and self-centered son, declared himself king, despite having no authority to do so. As is often the case with...Read more...
