July 17, 2022
Parashat Balak, by Rabbi Noyo
Text - Balak, Rabbi Noyo's Teaching on the Torah Portion
Probably most of us know what a self-fulfilling prophecy is. Merriam-Webster defines the term as something that becomes real or true by virtue of having been predicted or expected. In other words, making a statement or prediction can actually influence our behaviors, which can make it more likely that the outcome will be impacted.
July 10, 2022
Parashat Chukat, by Rabbi Noyo
Text - chukat, Rabbi Noyo's Teaching on the Torah Portion
Imagine for a moment that you walk into a public library to pick up some children’s books for some tiny humans in your life. You head towards the children’s section, and you see that the front desk is empty – the librarian who usually sits there is not there. Perhaps they are in the bathroom, perhaps they have a day off, but they are not there. You were hoping for some assistance finding books on particular topics to read with your littles, so you approach the desk in the reference center and say to the librarian there, “Hi, I’m looking for some children’s books. Could you help me find what I’m looking for?”
July 8, 2022
Rededication of the WJC, by Rabbi Noyo
Text - chukat, Rabbi Noyo's Teaching on the Torah Portion
Tonight, in an evening of new beginnings, we rededicate our building, our sacred space, our Jewish communal home, the Woodstock Jewish Congregation’s synagogue.
July 3, 2022
Parashat Korach, by Rabbi Noyo
Text - Korakh, Rabbi Noyo's Teaching on the Torah Portion
This week’s Torah portion is Parashat Korach, which begins with an incident involving a man named Korach, who responds to Moses’ brother Aaron’s appointment to the priesthood by… staging a mutiny. The result was that God stepped in and caused the earth to open up and swallow Korach and his followers, their tents and all.