Shabbat MarCheshvan 8, 5778 (Torah Portion “GO to yourself!”) “Me too” whispered Sarai, hugging her knees to her chest, sitting in a fetal position. “Me too” said Sarai, standing up to speak. Because my weak and fearful husband thought he needed to whore me out to Pharaoh to save his own life, because my faithless husband did not believe the blessings of Yud He Vav He—because Avram did not believe that we would together birth a great nation that would transmit blessings to the world. “ME TOO” declared Sarai, drawing herself up to her full...
We are delighted to announce our first High Holy Day Services this year! Please join us for Rosh HaShanah on Wednesday evening September 20 through Friday afternoon September 22, and for Yom Kippor starting with Kol Nidre on Friday evening, September 29 through Saturday evening, September 30 Break Fast. We will meet at the home of Rabbah D’vorah and can accommodate 50 souls. Given the interest we have already heard we want to urge you to register early to make sure you secure your spot. (Details below.) We find ourselves living through such a...
From welcome to embrace: honoring transgender and bisexual Jews Rabbi Debra Kolodny Torah’s declaration that we were created b’tzelem Elohim- in the image of G-d is a foundational text for human rights work. All of us, in our glorious diversity, were created intentionally in the image of the Holy Blessed One. Therefore, all must be accorded basic rights, respect and access to resources. In and of itself this passage teaches that we must be kind, fair and honorable to everyone, whatever our skin color, national origin, religion,...
Shalom Alechem/Salaam Alekum Peace be upon you Rabbi Debra Kolodny On September 11, 2011 I lived right outside of Washington DC near Takoma Park, Maryland. I was riding my bicycle that morning. At exactly the moment the first World Trade Center Tower was felled I took a spill on my bike. Nothing caused it. I just lost my balance and fell. I had raced in triathlons, ridden centuries (100 mile rides), regularly cycled for 18 years, and had never had an unprovoked spill. It was minor. I was not hurt. But when I found out about the Tower I...
