Shelach L’cha Num 13:1 – 15:41  Rabbi Gary Pokras  Israelis are not known as the most patient people in the world. When I lived in Israel in the 90s there were no lines at the bus stop to get on the bus. As the driver opened the door, everyone dove in, and the winner was […]

BeHa’alotecha Num. 8:1 – 12:16  Rabbi Baht Yameem Weiss  In her book, “Leadership in the Wilderness,” Dr. Erica brown writes, “the role of preparation and organization in facing uncertainty cannot be underestimated.”  We look to our leaders to guide us in moments of change.  Leaders can also become the recipients of blame if anything goes […]

Naso  Num. 4:21 – 7:89  Rabbi Gary Pokras  I’m not sure when, exactly, we turned a cultural corner in contemporary secular culture, but at some point “doubling-down” on questionable behavior or decisions became seen as a sign of strength while honestly questioning ourselves on what we have done or said became a sign of weakness. […]

Shavuot Ex. 19:1 – 20:23; Num. 28:26-31  Rabbi Gary Pokras  As we celebrate our zman matan Torah, our festival of the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, we often focus on chapter 20 of Exodus: the 10 Commandments themselves. However, there is rich learning available to us in the immediate lead-up to Sinai. Towards […]

BeMidbar Num. 1:1 – 4:20  Rabbi Baht Yameem Weiss  In a few weeks, my youngest son will be graduating from preschool here at Beth Ami.  It will be a bit of a transition for both of us.  Ethan is nervous about leaving his safe community and the friends he knows and loves and going off […]

Behar/Bechukkotai Lev. 25:1 – 26:2/ Lev. 26:3 – 27:34  Rabbi Baht Yameem Weiss   וְקִדַּשְׁתֶּ֗ם אֵ֣ת שְׁנַ֤ת הַחֲמִשִּׁים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּקְרָאתֶ֥ם דְּר֛וֹר בָּאָ֖רֶץ לְכׇל־יֹשְׁבֶ֑יהָ יוֹבֵ֥ל הִוא֙ תִּהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם וְשַׁבְתֶּ֗ם אִ֚ישׁ אֶל־אֲחֻזָּת֔וֹ וְאִ֥ישׁ אֶל־מִשְׁפַּחְתּ֖וֹ תָּשֻֽׁבוּ׃   You shall sanctify the fiftieth year and put out a call of freedom to all the land.  (Lev 25:10)   In this middle of […]