Photo by: JEENAH MOON / GETTY
People participate in a Jewish solidarity march across the Brooklyn Bridge on January 5, 2020, in New York City.
| In some of my recent quarterly rabbinic messages, I spoke about the experiences that Beverly and I have had out on Long Island these past months participating in services at a wide variety of synagogues. My appreciation goes to the spiritual leaders at these institutions who have given me many honors, including aliyot and chanting the Haftarah. Our Jewish teachings encourage us to build bridges to Jews who practice Judaism differently than we do; I’m now serving on the East End Jewish Community Council and learning from colleagues in eastern Suffolk County. Judaism also encourages us to build bridges to people from other traditions and to build bridges to our past as well as our future. |
| On January 5, 2020, instead of celebrating the completion of my nearly 7 ½ year daily page of the Babylonian Talmud-study cycle, I took advantage of our proximity to New York City and joined thousands of people who marched in solidarity across the Brooklyn Bridge to raise awareness about a scourge of anti-Semitic crimes. I was struck by the juxtaposition between this event and a parallel one on the other side of the globe that same day (see accompanying photos). Focusing on the positive, I am proud to contribute to building bridges of mutual respect towards others. |
The funeral of General Soleimani from the Times of Israel, Creator:Morteza Jaberian
Credit:AP
People chanting “No Compromise, No Surrender.”
In December, the Jewish Center of the Moriches–where I currently serve in a rabbinic position–was invited to be part of the Center Moriches annual tree lighting ceremony. Despite the chilly weather, I felt it was important for the Jewish Center (JCM) to be represented at this event; I spoke to those gathered, as the large public Hanukkiah was turned on. The week prior, I got to offer a special birthday blessing to Beverly’s father at a Friday night service at JCM, and a few Friday services after that, I had the privilege to conduct a baby naming ceremony at the Jewish Center. During Sunday religious school at JCM, I enjoyed sharing teachings with the students and learning about some of the challenges Jewish pre-teens face today. Although I was never a Cub or Boy Scout, I led JCM’s annual Scout Shabbat service, and I was even provided with a patch.
