blogs/brentspodek

The American bar mitzvah can be a somewhat confusing institution.

It's not just that the parties are too extravagant, though sometimes they are.

It's the religious ceremony itself that can be somewhat peculiar - only about 12% of American Jews attend religious services once a month, yet we mark coming of age with a religious service. Why do we mark becoming a Jewish adult with a practice in which so few actual...Read more...

This position is filled! Thank you!

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The holiday of Purim is fast approaching - this year, it begins on the evening of Wednesday, March 23 and ends on the evening of Thursday, March 24. 

At the most basic level, Purim is a raucous celebration of the story of Esther. In the biblical book of Esther, the Jews of ancient Persia faced certain annihilation, but they not only survived, but turned the tables on their oppressors. More...Read more...

Dear Friends:

One of the most remarkable world-music ensembles, Pharaoh's Daughter, is coming to Beacon to perform a benefit concert for Beacon Hebrew Alliance. You want to be there!

The band, led by Basya Schechter, will be bringing their wild instrumental blend of traditional Hasidic influences, Arabic rhythm and African beats to the Towne Crier Cafe on April 14, 2016. Thanks to the generosity of Heidi...Read more...

I was sitting on a cushion in the mountains of Costa Rica, trying yet again to focus on my breath, when word came that New York was facing a monster blizzard.

It was moment of some tension - on the one hand, I, my rabbis, Marcelo Bronstein and Rachel Cowan, and about two dozen members of Congregation Bnai Jeshurun were cultivating contemplative practice, trying to breathe into the present moment without over focusing on...Read more...