Read & Listen

I don’t remember how old I was when I first learned about the Holocaust. I do know that I became very grateful that I don’t usually remember my dreams because the ones that woke me up as a girl, and still do, were of running away from the fires that the storm troopers who were coming to get me had set. I also remember checking all my history textbooks in high school to make sure ...

READ MOREWHAT JUDAISM OFFERS THE WORLD by Rabbi Ellen Triebwasser

First aliyah: Deut. 29: 9–14 The reading begins: You stand, this day… all of you (from the tribal heads and elders to the children, strangers, wood choppers and water drawers…both those standing here this day and those not standing here —future generations—)…to enter into the covenant.   This is a phrase that adds up to this year, (5)784 וְכל־הָעֵדָה פֶּתַח אֹהֶל־מוֹעֵד  and the whole assembly, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting Num. 27:2 ...

READ MOREALIYOT THEMES AND MISHABERACH BLESSINGS from Yom Kippur

First aliyah: Gen. 22: 1-6  Page God tested Abraham. Abraham said “Hineni” “I am here” And [God] said, “…go to the land of Moriah, upon one of the mountains which I will tell you” This is a verse from Psalms that adds up to this year, 784: לְמוֹלִיךְ עַמּוֹ בַּמִּדְבָּר כִּי לְעוֹלָם חַסְדּֽוֹ׃ Who led the people through the wilderness, [God’s] steadfast love is eternal Psalms 136:16 Abraham leaves the comfort of a domestic life, ...

READ MOREALIYOT THEMES AND MISHABERACH BLESSINGS from Second Day Rosh Hashanah

First aliyah: Gen. 21: 1–8 The birth of Isaac.  Births and new beginnings In this aliyah we hear of the birth of Isaac. All those who have experienced a birth or new beginning, whether expected or a wonderful surprise: if you want to  acknowledge, give thanks, and receive a blessing, please rise. Mishaberach: Ruth Hirsch It is possible we each and all have moments of surprise, moments of newness, of being awake. We may each, ...

READ MOREALIYOT THEMES AND MISHABERACH BLESSINGS from First Day Rosh Hashanah

On Erev Rosh Hashanah each member of the WJC Clergy Team shared some thoughts about this year's High Holy Day theme.

Here are some of the sharings from Cantor Raechel Rosen from our High Holy Day services.

These are some of the sharings from Rabbi Ellen Triebwasser from our High Holy Day services:

Hello, my name is Allison Gould and I am one of the new members of the Board of Directors of the WJC. Like many of you, my first experience with the WJC was at high holiday services under the tent, on this spot, surrounded by these woods. I will never forget the awe that I felt as I stood among hundreds of people swaying arm in arm and singing and praying with such full and ...

READ MOREYOM KIPPUR WELCOME, by Allison Gould