Balak – 5779 Numbers 22:2 – 25:9 “Mah Tovu Ohalecha Ya’akov, mishkenotecha Yisrael – How goodly are your tents O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel!” [Num. 24:5] With these words the pagan prophet Balaam blessed the people of Israel, despite his commission from King Balak to send a destructive curse instead. How do we […]
Chukat – 5779 Numbers 20: 1-29 On these hot days, we can all relate to what it’s like to be thirsty. It was no different for the Israelites traveling in the wilderness in the area now known as Kadesh. Moses and Aaron’s sister Miriam, the Prophetess, who was one of the Israelite’s spiritual leaders has […]
Korach – 5779 Numbers 16:1 – 18:32 If the first part of the book of Numbers is about making plans to keep things in order, this middle part is about how life gets messy. Last week the Israelites were condemned to 40 years of wandering the in wilderness because they let their fears trump their […]
B’nai Mitzvah Timeline Torah Reading Haftorah Reading Leading the Service Speeches Speech Preparation Personal Pirke Avot Speech Your second opportunity to teach the congregation comes after you have finished chanting both Torah and Haftorah portions. Think of this second set of remarks as your opportunity to speak to the congregation about a topic of your […]
Student Guide Torah Reading Haftorah Reading Leading the Service Speeches Speech Preparation Writing Your D’var Torah and Haftarah D’var Torah The term “d’var Torah” literally means “a word about the Torah”. We use this term to describe a short set of remarks given by the one who is teaching the congregation something about a particular […]
Shelach Lecha – 5779 Numbers 13:1 – 15:41 “100% of the shots I don’t take, don’t go in.” (Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky) Twelve scouts were sent to spy out the Promised Land, each of them leaders of their tribes. After forty days they returned to the Israelite camp and reported: “… We came to the […]
The Meaning and History of Bar/Bat Mitzvah Translated literally as “son/daughter of the commandment,” Bar/Bat Mitzvah is a coming of age – a beautiful and important moment in the cycle of life. In Judaism, a life-cycle event is a ceremony which marks a change in a person’s covenantal status. Brit Milah and baby naming […]
AppointmentsTutoring, Clergy, Bima Rehearsals, and Photography PLEASE REMEMBER THAT ALL STUDENTS MUST BE ENROLLED IN AND ATTENDING MACHANE TBA AND ALL ACCOUNTS MUST BE CURRENT, OR ARRANGEMENTS MADE WITH THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY, IN ORDER TO BEGIN THE BAR/BAT MITZVAH PROCESS. Tutoring Each student is allotted 14 one half hour tutoring lessons. Please note, if the […]
DVD Recordings$36.00 We live stream all services; however, if you would like a DVD recording of the service at which your child becomes a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, please let the main office know and one will be created. The service recording costs is $36.00 and payment must be received the week before the Shabbat at which […]
Monthly Clergy Message – Rabbi Luxemburg Our Ongoing Relationship During my three years as Rabbi emeritus, I have appreciated every opportunity offered me to remain an active part of our congregational community. I enjoy every invitation to take part in a bar/bat mitzvah or other happy life-cycle event, as well as every class I am […]
