A Prayer of Peace and Lament
09/09/2021 03:39:47 PM
A prayer of peace and lament written for the anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks -- By Carrie Steenwyk
Powerful God, our refuge and our strength, we turn to you for peace and security as we recall the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attack. We thank you for the bravery and the sacrifice of those who saved lives as firefighters, rescue crews, or people aboard United 93.
Comfort and strengthen the family and...Read more...
A Prayer for Simple Things
09/09/2021 07:48:00 AM
Dear Friends,
The traditional greeting from Rosh Hashanah through Hoshanna Rabbah is g'mar hatimah tovah, may we be SEALED for a good new year. (Some say, "g'mar tov" which means a good completion to the process of teshuvah or repentance)
As I went through old files, I discovered the following reading from the rabbi of my parents' synagogue, West Suburban Temple Har Zion in River Forest, IL. Their rabbi was Moshe Babin who was...Read more...
Welcome Home!
09/02/2021 06:40:20 PM
Dear Friends,
Over the years, one of my favorite prayers for Rosh Hashanah is found in the Reform Machzor, Mishkan Hanefesh.
This is my adaptation of a prayer which is found in the evening service.
Once there was a prince who sailed to faraway countries.
Many years passed, and at last the prince thought of coming back.
For a moment he felt shame:
he had been away so...Read more...
We Are Indebted...
08/27/2021 09:23:47 AM
O God, we come before You in gratitude for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. To them, we are indebted for the freedoms we enjoy today. Many continue in service at this hour, in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and around the world. We are thankful for their many sacrificial acts on behalf of our great nation, particularly in the wake of war.
Bless each of these men and women. Instill in them pride in their service,...Read more...
Sorry About That...
08/26/2021 12:22:33 PM
Dear Friends,
Ok...I am an older guy who remembers the TV show, "Get Smart" with Don Adams. How many of you remember the iconic line, "Sorry about that, chief."
Maxwell Smart would say that to his boss when he would make a mistake.
Saturday night, we observe Selichot, which is the time for us to say, "Sorry about that...."
The question with which I wrestle is whether or not we are really sorry for the...Read more...
Ki Tetzei: Leadership
08/20/2021 10:03:06 AM
Dear Friends,
This week in an article about our weekly Torah portion, Ki Tetzei, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks quotes the following verse:
Do not despise an Edomite, because he is your brother.
Do not despise the Egyptian, because you were a stranger in his land.
– Deut. 23:8
Read more...
Welcome, Rabbi Aft!
07/15/2021 04:19:42 PM
Excerpt from July 15 email to the congregation:
My fellow congregants,
I am thrilled to let you know that Rabbi Bruce Aft will be joining us on August 1, 2021 and be with us for the remainder...Read more...