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Hearing a Riot

06/03/2020 11:20:59 AM

Jun3

Rabbi Brent Spodek

One of the many names the Jewish tradition has for the Holy One is Shomea Tefila - the One who hears prayers. Every day in the Amidah, the central Jewish prayer, we hope that the Holy One hears our formal prayers, uttered in the sanctuary, and the intimate prayers, whispered in a hospital room.

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Shavuot 2020

05/27/2020 02:31:57 PM

May27

Rabbi Brent Spodek

 

     Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, Ruth in the Field with Boaz

Tomorrow evening, May 28 will mark the beginning of Shavuot, possibly the least known of the major Jewish holidays. 

We’ll be celebrating it...Read more...

An update from the BHA Atid Team

05/12/2020 03:08:29 PM

May12

Rabbi Brent Spodek

 An update from the Atid team:

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended all of our lives but not the Atid listening campaign.  Yes, the pandemic has slowed our progress a little but not by much.  Thanks to the efforts of Rabbi Brent and a dedicated and persistent team of...Read more...

Acknowledging Our Shadows

05/06/2020 11:58:58 AM

May6

Rabbi Brent Spodek

One of the most important pieces of my rabbinic education was the fellowship I had at B’nai Jeshurun, and one of the most significant blessings of my time at BJ is my relationship with Marcelo Bronstein. 

Marcelo is a rabbi - my rabbi - and a...Read more...

Who Do We Become

04/29/2020 02:02:09 PM

Apr29

Rabbi Brent Spodek

Barack Obama holding an umbrella for Valerie Jarrett and Anita Decker Breckenridge

This week, we read that we are to “be holy, for I, Adonai, am holy,’ – which sounds good, but is somewhat less clear...Read more...

Leprosy in the Time of Coronavirus

04/22/2020 11:12:24 AM

Apr22

Rabbi Brent Spodek

 

What do you do when people start to

By William Brassey Hole (1846-1917) from “Old Testament History” (Eyre and Spottiswoode 1925). 

get sick? How do we, as a society, treat a terrifying, contagious disease?

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Omer in a Pandemic

04/15/2020 12:55:52 PM

Apr15

Rabbi Brent Spodek

Now, like always, some days are better than others. 

Some days, things are flowing, I’m connected with my family, I’m engaged with my phone calls and emails, the sun is shining and I find a chance to go for a run or a hike and I’m hopeful that our collective actions will...Read more...

Peace Under Siege

04/02/2020 04:39:16 PM

Apr2

Rabbi Brent Spodek

 

For all intents and purposes, we are living through war. 

We are under siege from an enemy we cannot see and which we might very well be harboring in our own bodies. We are bracing for a death toll two to five times worse than the American fatalities...Read more...

Peace in times of fear

03/25/2020 04:45:52 PM

Mar25

Rabbi Brent Spodek

During today's 1 PM meditation, we reflected on the poem You Mustn't Show Weakness, by Yehudah Amichai, with this powerful verse:

This is the situation:

If I take the plug out of the tub

After a pleasant and luxurious bath,

I feel that all Jerusalem and with it the whole world

Will empty out into the great darkness

Indeed, in these truly crazy times, I do enjoy pleasant moments, if...Read more...

Updates: Confirmed Cases + Ways to Help

03/23/2020 04:25:46 PM

Mar23

Dear Friends:Some updates in these hard times. There are four known cases of coronavirus in our congregation; we pray for their speedy recovery aRead more...
Sun, July 13 2025 17 Tammuz 5785