Bylined opinion and news columns published by United Hebrew Congregation Terre Haute.
Jews are known as the People of the Book.
We have a long tradition of studying our sacred texts. We engage with these texts alone and in groups.
Not only do Jews study these sacred texts as part of life-long religious education, but this tradition of studying has led many Jews to careers as academics and professionals.
Our parents have encouraged us and we have fostered learning in our children and grandchildren.
My journey to rabbinical school began with a meaningful conversation with my mentor, Rabbi Educator Vicki L. Tuckman, zichrona livracha.
After a great day working alongside Vicki at URJ Camp Harlam, a Jewish summer camp in Kunkletown, Pa., we found ourselves sitting on her cabin porch around midnight as the stars rose over the Mahoning Valley.
I still remember her exact words: “You’re going to be a rabbi — you just don’t know it yet.”
I laughed it off; a well-intentioned but incorrect prediction, I thought.
Eight years later, as I wrap up my fourth year of rabbinical school, it would seem an “I told you so” may be in order.
As we have learned in the Torah and recounted in our second virtual Passover celebration this year, God gave the Israelites many choices once they were free.
They also experienced the consequences of their choices.
While God forgave many bad choices, a few came with extreme consequences. For example, God destroyed Aaron’s sons by fire.
During this past year many of us have questioned the quality of our freedoms.
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Restored freedoms come with responsibility to protect our health and the health of others, writes Betsy Frank.
Recently, I’ve been thinking about memory and memories.
This past February marked 20 years since my father’s older sister, my Aunt Julie, passed away.
My father had died in 1990, and their younger sister, my Aunt Rebecca, is now the last surviving sibling.
I have my own wonderful memories of many special times with my aunts and my father, but I regret now that I didn’t ask them more questions about their lives growing up in New York City, about their experiences as children of immigrants, where their parents spoke a different language (Ladino) at home.