- 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
…no middle ground? No way to bless a child without dividing a family?25 No way to have merit without sacrificing equality? No way to have equality without sacrificing merit? No way to water the vital tree, but not the deadly one? * * * What we often forget is that these two blessings are not the only blessings of the parshah. When Rebecca tells Jacob to run, and Rebecca tricks Isaac a second time, creating the cover story for Jacob’s escape, Isaac…
…ene. Each member of the household has their own Hanukia, and each lights a number of lights corresponding to the number of the day of the holiday. We are fortunate that we are able to do this mitzva in such a complete and beautiful way. But what of the poor person who can not afford all of this “hidur mitzva” but must struggle to light even one lamp? The Mishna Berura, written at the beginning of the twentieth century by the Hafetz Hayim, comments…
…individual. If one’s kavana [concentration and sincerity] is enhanced by swaying, then one should sway; if not, one should stand upright. The point is that one should pray with kavana. Dear Rabbi, Why can’t we chew gum and eat candy during services? Does the Torah forbid that, too? Signed, Bazooka Yosi. Dear Bazooka Yosi, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, but the Torah does forbid you from chewing gum and eating during services. As the…
…f the redevelopment program was the Oak Street Connector, a multi-lane highway connecting to and from the Connecticut Turnpike. This would pass through the heart of the so-called “Jewish Ghetto.” College Street was to be extended over the highway to Congress Avenue, passing but yards from the site of the synagogue. In October 1955, the Congregation received a letter from the City about acquiring the building. Paul Goodwin was asked to represent th…
…ich only enhanced my own sense of alienation and turmoil as a Jew. I was always waiting for the right time to run away. And so here I was again, taking another chance, hoping that this time I would not run. I realized as soon as I got to the retreat that I had made a huge mistake. I felt like an outsider…and all this beauty and joy was sprouting up all around me, and rather than it feeling inviting to me, it felt like a painful reminder of what I…
…y equal in all ways. Most men are stronger than women, but that’s just the way they are built and the way the public sees men. Because of that, some men try to keep in shape and try to maintain their male status in the public eye. This is all right with me, besides the fact that about half of the males I’ve ever met flaunt their strength somehow. I often wonder about guys who have to do that. Are they that insecure? Luckily women today don’t have…
…with land, sheep and oxen, and male and female slaves, and they are sent away. Today’s story is much shorter than the other two. Rebekah is not actually taken away by the King, and she and Isaac remain in Gerar for some time. The deception is exposed when Abimelech sees them cavorting together — he sees Isaac fondling his wife in public. Abimelech reprimands Isaac, warns his people not to molest them, and Isaac and Rebekah apparently stay in the…
…e language of praise is cheap and formulaic. Suffice it to say that if the best way to teach is by example, Ruthie is the greatest teacher I know of emuna, of hesed, and of avoda — of faith, of steadfast love, of the holy work of worship. Without any irony, I can say that she is truly a giant. Which brings us back to the place we started, the theme of sacrifice. When our ancestors gave the first fruits of their harvests, an unblemished lamb, a kid…
…brew, “Deadly Hazard! Loose Rocks! Do Not Climb Here!” until he was on the way down.) I climbed half way up. My dad waited near the bottom, not wishing to add to the eighty-one years of wear on his knee. We spent a good deal of time at Qibbutz Yizra’el and in New Haven’s sister-city Afula. We went from one end of the country to the other, from Majdal Shams in the far north, to Acco in the west (not really far), to Eilat in the south. Israel is sma…
…n of (our son) Matthew’s bar mitzva. I remember talking with Marv and he always had a joke to share. Once the bar mitzva plans were in full swing, we had always kibbitzed with Marv at Saturday services. Marv requested an invitation to Matt’s big day; of course we granted his request. The big day came and you would think we were related. He gave Matt a very generous gift and never failed to ask about sonny boy. I would see Marv at Stop and Shop and…
