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Congregation Beth Israel
53 Lois Street
North Adams, MA 01247
1-413-663-5830
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Post-Buffalo
Community, From The Rabbi, Response to TragedyI emerged from Shabbat to the news of the horrific shooting at a grocery store in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo. The shooter was motivated by racial hatred and by the so-called “great replacement theory” – the belief that Jews are orchestrating a “replacement” of white Americans with people of color. That same argument has motivated many shootings in houses of worship and elsewhere.
We Live in a Society: Teachings from Kedoshim for Right Now
Divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, Tikkun OlamMy son likes to say “We live in a society.” It’s our refrain. We need to be mindful of other people’s needs, because we live in a society. If a kid is being bullied, it’s good to stand up for them, because we live in a society. If a neighbor needs help carrying in the groceries, we offer to help, because we live in a society. We have obligations to each other, because we live in a society..
From the Rabbi – May 2022
From The Rabbi, Iyar, Newsletter, ShavuotReb Zalman z”l — Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, of blessed memory; a formative teacher for me before and during rabbinical school — used to say that revelation is like the radio. God is the Source of the broadcast, and that broadcast is always streaming into creation. And as for us? We’re radio receivers. We receive revelation on the levels to which we’re attuned.
After (the) Death – Yizkor
Divrei Torah, YizkorTazria and What Community is For
Community, Divrei TorahFrom the Rabbi – April 2022
From The Rabbi, Newsletter, Nissan, PesachThis year April overlaps, more or less, with the lunar month of Nissan. At the full moon of Nissan we retell our people’s core story as we celebrate Pesach, festival of our liberation.
As it says in the traditional haggadah:
We were slaves to a Pharaoh in Egypt, and the Holy One brought us forth from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm… Therefore it is incumbent on each of us to see ourselves as though we, ourselves, had been brought forth from Mitzrayim.
Perpetual Fire
Divrei Torah, From The RabbiMarch 2022 | Adar-II 5782
Adar, From The President, NewsletterGood news — we are opening our doors to in-person worship and programs once again! The decreasing COVID-19 numbers in our community and the fact that the local risk level has moved from high to low means that we can once again meet in person. To ensure the safety of our most vulnerable, we will continue to require masks for everyone ages 2 and up. We will also keep seating spaced apart for those who wish to continue to practice social distancing. For those who are not able to attend in person for whatever reason, most services will continue to include a Zoom option.
From the Rabbi – March 2022
Adar, From The Rabbi, Newsletter, PurimThis month brings Purim, our festival of costumes and masks and merriment.
When my son was little, he used to confuse the names Yom Kippur and Purim. One year he was very excited to wear a costume to Yom Kippur… until I regretfully informed him that Yom Kippur was not the costumes and silliness holiday!
He didn’t know it, but he was following in the footsteps of our sages.
The Wilderness of Not Knowing: Ki Tisa 5782
Divrei Torah, Pandemic“…The thing is, there’s holiness in the not-knowing. There’s holiness in opening ourselves to the uncertainties of wilderness. It’s no coincidence that our ancestors hear God’s voice most clearly in the wilderness. The midbar (wilderness) is where God m’daber (speaks) — or at least, where we hear….”
February 2022 | Adar-I 5782
Adar, From The President, NewsletterI hope that you are all well and enjoying this season, no matter where you are spending your time. Though our synagogue building was closed last month due to the pandemic, our Rabbi, the Board, and Oliver Jones, our synagogue administrator, have been very busy. Our Hebrew School continued to meet in-person and by Zoom. Services have continued by Zoom on their regular schedule.
From the Rabbi – February 2022
Adar, From The Rabbi, Newsletter5782 is a Jewish leap year, which means we get an extra month. In most years, there is a single month of Adar. This year, we get two of them. The first one is happening right now….
Four Gifts
Community, Divrei Torah, From The Rabbi, PandemicThis week’s Torah portion contains one of my favorite verses: “Let them make Me a sanctuary, that I might dwell among them.” The Hebrew could also mean “within them.” We build God a sanctuary so that God — holiness, love, justice — can dwell within us….
From the Rabbi – January 2022
From The Rabbi, Newsletter, Shevat, Tu BiShvatOne heart: reading Yitro after Colleyville
Divrei Torah, Response to TragedyIn this week’s Torah portion, Yitro, we receive Torah at Sinai. Tradition teaches that every Jewish soul that ever was and ever will be was present at Sinai. At Sinai […]