- Congregation Beth El–Keser Israel
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
85 Harrison Street, New Haven, CT 06515-1724 | P: 203.389.2108 | office@beki.org
…, of blessed memory, might have put it, only someone with a goyisha kopf (“non-Jewish mentality”) could say such a thing. On the other hand, there are aspects of the story that may have universal appeal. Many can identify with the suffering, the perceived injustice and disloyalty. Indeed, the themes play well today in films such as “The Green Mile,” which is a replay of the crucifixion, this time with a miracle-working black man who is sentenced t…
…he plaza, [Israeli] police, braced for confrontation, quickly broke up the non-Orthodox prayer group and herded them forcibly though security gates at the entrance to the plaza. Then, shoving and swearing, the police forced the group another hundred yards down a driveway leading to the Dung Gate out of the Old City, as the Conservative Jews sang a Hebrew prayer calling on God to make peace in the heavens and within the nation of Israel. Much has a…
…jury in his struggle. Nehama Leibowitz describes the story as “essentially non-rational.” Whether the wrestling took place in the world of the senses, or was “an inner prophetic experience in Jacob’s soul, projected through the medium of a dream,” or portrays Jacob struggling with himself, we are still left with the challenge of trying to understand what the Torah seeks to teach us through this story. I suggest that we read the story (as Rabbi Til…
…Join Debby Kahan for an hour of light yoga. Free for BEKI Members $5 for non-members…
…ture many BEKI congregant authors whose works include poetry, fiction, and non-fiction scholarship, self-help, and humor. Additionally, you will find books to supplement learning Hebrew, Cookbooks, Adult coloring books, Shabbat activities and inclusive-family story books for children. We also carry toys, games and plush torahs for children. You can find beautiful jewelry, gifts for celebrating simchas and something special for your host or hostes…
…twice nothing. If the Israeli Government is able to spend $700 million on non-Conservative religious institutions that seek to disenfranchise us and in many cases promote explicitly anti-Zionist messages, then we have to question to what extent the Government needs our money to provide social services. Do our donations merely take the pressure off the Government so they can free up funds log-rolling unaccounted millions that go to institutions th…
…yad,” which means, in a way that you don’t normally do it. Try using your non-dominant hand to click refresh; try sitting in a different position. This would render it halakhically acceptable. If the halakhic language seems abstruse to you, the value that we are going for is this: even if opening the livestream is not a problem on Shabbat, we still nevertheless tend to use our computers for things like work – things that are the opposite of Shabb…
…nding experiences and new realities through more conventional, or at least non-chemical, means. Fortunately, our sages have made suggestions to guide us in such quests. Am I “holier than thou”? Although I am a card-carrying member of the Holy Men & Womenʼs Association of America, as a professional matter, I definitely have my serious vices, but we will not explore that topic today. Like many in our community, I have suffered the loss of family, fr…
…Join Debby Kahan for an hour of light yoga (all ages) Free for BEKI Members $5 for non-members…
…ing of life, as well as a tool of the powerful to retain their power. When non-Jewish people declare their leaders prophets or deities, we dismiss it as foolishness or deception. When we realize that this happens to others, we should be able to recognize that the same process happens among the Jewish People as well and shapes our image of God. Jonah Cooper, who recently (2003) celebrated becoming a bar mitzva, described his healthy skepticism this…
