Recent articles and news from Tiferet Bet Israel. http://www.tbibluebell.org Since I wrote last month about a billboard I saw in California, this month I thought it would be fun to write about a billboard I saw in Massachusetts, on the way to visit my in-laws. Just outside of Springfield (Jewish geography factoid: the city http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=430 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=430/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT I rarely find myself writing a column about McDonalds but it is a new year so I thought I would give it a shot. Recently, when my wife and I were in California, we saw a huge billboard with a picture of a Big Mac on it. The Big Mac was divided in h http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=422 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=422/ Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT Just as a torch is not diminished though it lights a thousand
candles, [a person] who gives to a good cause will not lose.
- Midrash: Exodus Rabbah 89:4

I have noticed at this time of year that the majority of commercial g http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=414 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=414/ Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT As many of you know, I absolutely love technology, especially when it comes to all things Apple. Over the last few months I have been so excited to hear about ancient traditions within our faith that have gone digital. Of course we can't replace th http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=407 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=407/ Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT As I shared with you over the High Holy Days, it is time to celebrate and lead a renaissance of Judaism here at TBI. Our Board and professional staff have made a commitment to this process. I invite you to do the same.

Here are five pl http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=398 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=398/ Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT This season of holidays has the power to reinvigorate your Judaism. As a rabbi I wish I had the ability to capture and "bottle up" the energy, excitement, and connection our congregation feels during the beginning of the New Year, and keep it going http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=389 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=389/ Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT Our Jewish tradition views a cemetery in a variety of ways. For some, it is a Beit K'varot, a House of Graves, a description as accurate as it is barren. For some it is a Beit Almin, a House of Worlds. Our ancestors used this name to express a p http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=378 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=378/ Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT Sometimes the questions we ask lead to a greater understanding of an important situation. Recently I heard someone say, "Why would I want to write a letter in the Torah?" As a rabbi I live in "Judaism-ville" twenty-four hours a day, seven days a we http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=370 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=370/ Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT For our ancestors, moving from winter to spring was a time of blessing. To have survived another harsh winter where often disease and death were rampant, they would take time during the holiday of Passover to truly express their gratitude. As we mov http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=361 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=361/ Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT It has always been my dream to be the Rabbi of a synagogue that has a mikvah. When I was ordained I went to the mikvah, when I got married I went to the mikvah, and now I have the honor of assisting individuals through their conversion culminating i http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=353 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=353/ Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT The Book of Judges states, "Ki ha'adam, etz ha'sadeh -- man is like a tree of the field." I never understood that statement until I planted a tree in the land of Israel. As a child I would go to Israel often to visit family. On almost every trip, we http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=343 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=343/ Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT In the almost eight years I have been a rabbi there are quite a few moments that I have experienced that make me so proud to be a Conservative Jew. One the of the great highlights of my rabbinate was being a part of the discussion as to whether or n http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=320 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=320/ Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT It is said that parents are the "high priests" of informal Jewish family education and their homes are the "temples" for a wealth of learning experiences. With proper planning and a bit of time, Hanukkah is the perfect opportunity to create wonderfu http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=304 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=304/ Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT This is the month to give thanks and here at TBI there is no shortage of people who consistently inspire my gratitude for our community. Let me share with you a moment last month where I truly said "thank God" for creating such caring, loving indivi http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=295 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=295/ Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT I am always intrigued by the members of the Chabad community who feel it is their duty to stand on the street corner and have Jews wrap tefillin with them. If you have been to certain parts of New York City or in the Old City of Jerusalem, you may k http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=275 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=275/ Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT As we are about to celebrate our third High Holy Days together, I feel blessed to be the leader of such an incredible community. So many of you kindly inquire during the year as to how I am doing and are a bit shocked to hear that I love my incredib http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=276 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=276/ Wed, 29 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT The famous 19th century Rabbi, Yisroel Salanter, the father of the Mussar Movement1, said, "Too often religious people are concerned about their own bodies and other people's souls. In truth, we should be concerned about our own souls and other peopl http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=268 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=268/ Fri, 16 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT Over the past school year, Cantor Shammash and I have been blessed to have so many wonderful interactions with our early childhood students and faculty. For those of you whose children are past this age and may not get a chance to see that aspect of http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=260 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=260/ Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT Over the past few months, our synagogue has been blessed with incredible learning opportunities. From deep text study and practical tools to enhance Jewish practice, to the music of our tradition, there has been something for everyone. In March, a http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=251 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=251/ Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT I look back on parts of my childhood and think to myself, "oy vey." There were moments, especially during my thirteenth year of life, when I was quite a terror. (No, you may not ask my Mom for specific stories.) As many of you know, this was especi http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=241 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=241/ Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT Our movement, the one in which I grew up, has always used the phrase "tradition and change" as its guiding light. I love the fact that our branch of Judaism tries to uphold the wisdom of those who came before us but also recognizes that our modern w http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=231 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=231/ Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT I once heard one of my colleagues recount the following interaction he had with one of his congregants: The congregant commented, "I am not religious... I don't know the prayers... I'd feel hypocritical... I am not sure what I believe... so, how can http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=222 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=222/ Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT It seems as though this time of year brings out many nostalgic memories. Whether tastes, smells, rituals or family heirlooms, there always seems to be something around us that reminds us of years past or special moments with family and friends. Dec http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=211 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=211/ Fri, 04 Dec 2009 00:00:00 GMT For over sixty years, the Women's League Torah Fund campaign has been raising money throughout the country. As the mission states, "Every woman has the opportunity to participate in preserving, promoting and perpetuating Conservative/Masorti Judaism http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=201 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=201/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT In just a few weeks we will once again come together as a community to celebrate the New Year of 5770. While I know that for many of you the High Holy Days can be quite daunting, I hope that you will take advantage of our pre-High Holy Day class led http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=182 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=182/ Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT Having recently finished the High Holy Days of 5770, it is my prayer and hope that many of you were able to reflect on your relationship with God. Upon arriving to TBI last year, it struck me that many of you who attend services regularly each week http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=183 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=183/ Fri, 02 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT I can't believe that I am about to celebrate my first anniversary here at TBI. It seems like yesterday that Selilah and I moved our family to Blue Bell. I feel so blessed to be the leader of such a special community and truly treasure all the frien http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=173 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=173/ Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT After spending a lot of time discussing the many questions of the Passover seder I have to admit that I have continued to contemplate the question, "How can one generation teach the next about the complex relationship between freedom and responsibili http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=165 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=165/ Tue, 19 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT There is no question that we all begin the new, secular year of 2009 with much anticipation and wonder for the world's future. From the inauguration of a new President, the upcoming Israeli election, continued unrest in Israel and the world, and a p http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=136 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=136/ Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT The question I have been asked the most over the past few months -- besides "How are you?" -- has definitely been about my faith in God. People have wondered, and so have I, how God could allow my body to be invaded by cancer for a second time. As http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=143 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=143/ Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed working at TBI over the past 7 months and I feel so blessed to be a part of such an outstanding professional team. Each of us loves what we do and we put our entire soul into helping create a vibrant synagog http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=151 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=151/ Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT It is incredible that my favorite holiday is here, Passover. Each religion has a defining story and ours is most definitely that of the Exodus from Egypt. God's love and devotion to our people is shown through our redemption from Egypt and subseque http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=157 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=157/ Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT After the Jewish people had dwelled in the land of Israel for more than 1,000 years, the Seleucid Greeks occupied the land and outlawed Jewish religious practices. Their defeat by the Maccabees, a local band of Jewish warriors, is commemorated at Han http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=130 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=130/ Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT I recently heard a television show character comment that religion is like a buffet table -- you take what you want and leave the rest. In a sense, this interesting analogy supports the theory that everyone makes religion suitable for their own need http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=121 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=121/ Thu, 30 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Every four years, I anxiously await the Summer Olympics. As one who absolutely loves sports and competition, there is no better happening than the grand stage of the Olympics. This year, the Olympics were played out in China amidst much controversy http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=105 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=105/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Whenever I have had the privilege of studying with and assisting an individual through the conversion process, the most difficult aspect of this journey seems to be the "loss" of Christmas. So often the convert expresses incredible memories of bring http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=106 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=106/ Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT There is an old rabbinic adage that "all beginnings are hard"! I tend to believe that both "beginnings" and "endings" are hard.

Rhoda and I are entering our last month as part of this wonderful TBI family with a measure of sadness. You http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=93 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=93/ Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT As I write this message, Selilah, Noa, and I are in the midst of preparations for our impending move to Blue Bell. While surrounded by boxes, tape, and bubble-wrap, we feel an excitement beyond which words cannot express as we prepare to join all of http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=94 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=94/ Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT COUNT ONLY HAPPY HOURS

The last box of Pesach dishes has been put away, the last box of Pesach macaroons has been eaten, but to hold on to the spirit and mood of Yom Tov we are in the midst of the counting of the Omer. This is our way, http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=85 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=85/ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

"There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among all the provinces of your kingdom and their laws are different from those of every people." (Esther 3:8) So begins Haman"s calumny of the Jewish people http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=68 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=68/ Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT YOU MUST TELL YOUR CHILD

A number of years ago, my wife Rhoda wrote about the Shabbat candles that "they create memories even as they burn".

In this context, we approach Pesach this month and every year with a special emphas http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=77 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=77/ Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT MITZVAH MODELS



There is a great deal of news out there about the "role models" who are held up for our children and us to respect. These include athletes who disappoint with anti-social behavior; politicians who stretch the http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=60 http://www.tbibluebell.org/article.aspx?id=60/ Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT