May 22, 2021 

NASSO, NUMBERS 4:21-7:89

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• From MyJewishLearning.com:

  • In the Priestly Blessing, Seeing Parenthood’s Trajectory by Noah Arnow

  • Children and Jealousy by Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses

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May 15, 2021

BAMIDBAR, NUMBERS 1:1-4:20

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: When Women are Invisible by Sivan Rotholz

• From American Jewish World Service: Bamidbar by Rabbi David Singer 

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May 8, 2021

BEHAR, LEVITICUS 25:1-26:2

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• From The Office of Rabbi Sacks: The Power of a Curse by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

• From ReformJudaism.org: Joining God as Resident Strangers in the World by Rabbi Ben Spratt

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May 1, 2021

EMOR, LEVITICUS 21:1-24:23

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• From Jewish World Service: Dvar Tzedek by Rachel Farbiarz

• From MyJewishLearning.com: The Cruel Demands of Purity and Beauty by Dr. Shulamit Reinharz

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April 24, 2021

ACHAREI MOT-KEDOSHIM, LEVITICUS 16:1-20:27

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• From The Office of Rabbi Sacks

  • 2021: Sprints and Marathons by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

  • 2017: Judaism's Three Voices by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

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April 17, 2021

TAZRIA-METZORA, LEVITICUS 12:1-15:33

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: Illness, Isolation and Lessons Learned by Rabbi Hazzan Rachel Tilchin

• From Aish.com:  

  • ​Fred Rogers and the Power of Words by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

  • ​Lesson in Humility by N.Y. Safran (Family-focused discussion)

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April 10, 2021

SHEMINI, LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47

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• From ReformJudaism.org:

  • You Are What You Eat: The New World of Kosher Food by Rabbi Lance Sussman

  • Shemini for Teens, Sha-raps​

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March 27, 2021 

TZAV, LEVITICUS 6:1-8:36

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• From ReformJudaism.org: 

  • ​From the Altar to the Bimah—What is Expected of a Leader? by Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg

  • Never Too Proud to Wield the Sacred Shovel by Rabbi Ben Spratt

  • Tzav for Teens, Shabbat Sha-raps

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March 20, 2021 

VAYIKRA, LEVITICUS 1:1-5:26

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• From ReformJudaism.org: The Power of Sacrifice, Then and Now by Rabbi Dvora E. Weisberg

• From MyJewishLearning.com: The Pending Guilt Climate and the Global Climate by Shlomo Levin

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March 13, 2021 

VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI, EXODUS 35:1-40:38​

• From website dedicated to teachings of Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks: Celebrate

• From  Aish.com: 

  • ​Revenge is a dish best not served by Harry Rothenberg

  • Coloring Pages for Ages 2-6

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March 6, 2021 

KI TISA, EXODUS 30:11-34:35

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• From Aish.com

  • The Injustice of Judgement by Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig

  • For Children--Caring for Others by Nesanel Y. Safran

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February 27, 2021 

TETZAVEH, EXODUS 27:20-30:10

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• From Aish.com

  • Crushed for the Light by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

  • Balancing Our Children's Education. A Video with Eitiel Goldwicht

  • Coloring Pages for Ages 3- 7

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February 20, 2021 

TERUMAH, EXODUS 25:1-27:19

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: Hidden Gifts by Rabbi Nicole Auerbach

• From Keshet online: A Mandatory Donation by David Katzenelson

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February 13, 2021 

MISHPATIM, EXODUS 21:1-24:18

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• From ReformJudaism.org: 

  • A Continuity of Law by Rabbi Reuven Greenvald

  • Mishpatim for Tots - Kids and Compassion

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February 6, 2021 

YITRO, EXODUS 18:1-20:26

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• From the Office of Rabbi Sacks: A Nation of Leaders by the late Rabbi Lord Sacks

• From ReconstructingJudaism.org: Hearing the Voice of God by Rabbi Howard Cohen 

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​January 30, 2021

BESHALACH, EXODUS 13:17-17:16

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• From AJWS.net (American Jewish World Service) Parshat Beshalach by Alana Alpert

• From MyJewishLearning.com: Parashat Beshalach: Summary by Nancy R. Greenfield 

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January 23, 2021

BO, EXODUS 10:1-13:16

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• From Aish.com:

  • ​The Story We Tell About Ourselves by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks​

  • Finding Courage (for Parents & Kids) by Nesanel Yoel Safran

  • Visualizing the Exodus Experience by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

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January 16, 2021

VA-EIRA, EXODUS 6:2-9:35

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I (God) Appeared [to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]

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• From ReformJudaism.org:

  • What It Takes to Fulfill the Promise by Rabbi Stephanie M. Alexander

  • Why So Many Plagues? by Rabbi Mary Zamore 

  • Shortness of Breath, Shortness of Spirit by Rabbi Sarah Bassin

• From MyJewishLearning.com: Who Really Hardened Paharaoh's Heart? by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg

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January 9, 2021

SHMOT, EXODUS 1:1-6:1

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• From Aish.com:

  • ​How We Relate to God Depends on How We Relate to Others by Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski

  • Coloring Pages for Kids

• From MyJewishLearning.com: These are the Names by Rabbi Bradley Artson

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January 2, 2021

VAYECHI, GENESIS 47:28-50:26

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: The Legend of You and Me by Rabbi Devin Maimon Villarreal

• From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-raps for Teens

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December 26, 2020

VAYIGASH, GENESIS 44:18-47:27

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: 

  • When Dreams Come True by Hanan Schlesinger

  • Preparing for Exile by Rabbi Yitzchok A. Breitowitz

• ​From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-raps for Teens​

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December 19, 2020

MIKETZ, GENESIS 41:1-44:17

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In parshat Miketz we learn of how Joesph arrived in Egypt and his plan to bring Benjamin there as well.

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: Coercion vs. Love by Rabbi Noah Arnow

• From Aish.com:

  • ​Coloring pages for children Ages 3-8

  • Three Approaches to Dreams by Rabbi Lord Sacks

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December 12, 2020​

VAYEISHEV: GENESIS 37:1-40:23

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Jacob now settled in the land of his father's sojourning, in the land of Canaan. - Genesis 37:1

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• From ReformJudaism.org: 

  • The Most Painful Parts of Joseph’s Story Can Teach Us about Ourselves by Rabbi Michael Dolgin

  • Who is the Support Cast in the Story of Your Life by Rabbi Dan Moskowitz

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December 5, 2020

VAYISHLACH, GENESIS 32:4-36:43

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Jacob now sent messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, in the countryside of Edom. - Genesis 32:4

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• From Aish.com:

  • Coloring Pages for 3 – 6 year old

  • Who’s In Control by Rabbi Dr. Mordechai Schiffman

  • The Jewish Journey by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

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November 28, 2020

VAYETZEI, GENESIS 28:10-32:3

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: The Place with No Name by Rabbanit Alissa Thomas-Newborn 

• From ReformJudaism.org: Shabbat Sha-raps for Teens 

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November 21, 2020

TOLDOT, GENESIS 25:19-28:9

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: Why Rebecca Pushed Jacob to Get Esau's Blessing by Rabbi Nathan J. Diament

• From ReformJudaism.org: The Greatest Threat to Civilization by Rabbi Michael Dolgin

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November 14, 2020

CHAYEI SARAH, GENESIS 23:1-25:18

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• From ReformJudaism.org: 

  • ​What Torah Can Teach Us about Overcoming Loneliness by Rabbi Michael Dolgin

  • For Teens-- Shabbat Sha-raps

• From Aish.com: Coloring Pages on Chayei Sarah for Toddlers and Elementary Students

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November 7, 2020

VAYERA, GENESIS 18:1-22:24

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• From Jtsa.org:

  • Itzik's Journey by David G. Roskies

  • Women of Faith by Amy Kalmanofsky

• From ReformJudaism.org: Vayeira for Teens--Shabbat Sha-raps 

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October 31, 2020

LECH LECHA, GENESIS 12:1-17:27

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• From Aish.com: An 8 Year-Old Behind the Wheel by Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich (Torah for children)

• From RabbiSacks.org: The Courage Not to Confirm by Rabbi Lord Sacks

• From usy.org: Lech Lecha by Aviya Cammy (for teens)

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October 24, 2020

NOACH, GENESIS 6:9-11:32

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• From Reformjudaism.org: 

  • Noach for Tots—How do We Understand Our Children? by Diana Fersko​

  • Noach for Teens—Shabbat Sha-raps

• From MyJewishlearning.com: The Earth was Filled with Violence by Daniel Bloom (for adults)

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October 17, 2020

BERESHIT, GENESIS 1:1-6:8

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Bereshit is perhaps the most read part of the Torah as it starts our collective story.

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Summary from My Jewish Learning: In this Torah portion, God creates the world. After Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, they are banished from the Garden of Eden. Later Cain kills Abel. God then considers destroying all of Creation.

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• From Reformjudaism.org:

  • A Special Podcast with Singer David Broza (One can select to hear the podcast or read the transcript)

  • What does it Mean to be Human by Rabbi Michael Dolgin

• From Myjewishlearning.com: 

  • ​The Two Creation Stories by Rabbi I. Schorsch

  • The Power of a Name by Rabbi Andrew Davids​

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Commentary for Sukkot

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From My Jewish Learning: This portion covers all the “sacred occasions” that are mentioned in the Torah.  It is only at the very end that Sukkot –and its symbols of the sukkah and four species – is mentioned.  In the Reform tradition only the part that specifically focuses on Sukkot (Leviticus 23:33-44) is read on the holiday

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22:26.    The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

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22:27.     When an ox or a sheep or a goat is born, it shall stay seven days with its mother, and from the eighth day on it shall be acceptable as an offering by fire to the LORD.

 

22:28.     However, no animal from the herd or from the flock shall be slaughtered on the same day with its young.

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22:29.     When you sacrifice a thanksgiving offering to the LORD, sacrifice it so that it may be acceptable in your favor.

 

22:30.     lt shall be eaten on the same day; you shall not leave any of it until morning: I am the LORD.

 

22:31.      You shall faithfully observe My commandments: I am the LORD.

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22:32.     You shall not profane My holy name, that I may be sanctified in the midst of the Israelite people -I the LORD who sanctify you,

 

22:33.      I who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God, I the LORD.

 

23:1.        The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

 

23:2.        Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: These are My fixed times, the fixed times of the LORD, which you shall proclaim as sacred occasions.

 

23:3.        On six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a sabbath of complete rest, a sacred occasion. You shall do no work; it shall be a sabbath of the LORD throughout your settlements.

 

23:4.        These are the set times of the LORD, the sacred occasions, which you shall celebrate each at its appointed time:

 

23:5.        In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, there shall be a passover offering to the LORD,

 

23:6.        and on the fifteenth day of that month the LORD’s Feast of Unleavened Bread. You shall eat unleavened bread for seven days.

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23:7.        The first day shall be for you a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations.

 

23:8.        Seven days you shall make offerings by fire to the LORD. The seventh day shall be a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations.

 

23:9.        The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

 

23:10.      Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When you enter the land which I am giving to you and you reap its harvest, you shall bring the first sheaf of your harvest to the priest.

 

23:11.       He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD for acceptance in your behalf; the priest shall wave it on the day after the sabbath.

 

23:12.      On the day that you wave the sheaf, you shall offer as a burnt offering to the LORD a lamb of the first year without blemish.

 

23:13.      The meal offering with it shall be two-tenths of a measure of choice flour with oil mixed in, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the LORD; and the libation with it shall be of wine, a quarter of a hin. 

 

23:14.      Until that very day, until you have brought the offering of your God, you shall eat no bread or parched grain or fresh ears; it is a law for all time throughout the ages in all your settlements.

 

23:15.      And from the day on which you bring the sheaf of wave offering – the day after the sabbath-you shall count off seven weeks. They must be complete:

 

23:16.      you must count until the day after the seventh week-fifty days; then you shall bring an offering of new grain to the LORD.

 

23:17.      You shall bring from your settlements two loaves of bread as a wave offering; each shall be made of two- tenths of a measure of choice flour, baked after leavening, as first fruits to the LORD.

 

23:18.      With the bread you shall present, as burnt offerings to the LORD, seven yearling lambs without blemish, one bull of the herd, and two rams, with their meal offerings and libations, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the LORD.

 

23:19.      You shall also offer one he-goat as a sin offering and two yearling lambs as a sacrifice of well-being.

 

23:20.     The priest shall wave these-the two lambs together with the bread of first fruits as a wave offering before the LORD; they shall be holy to the LORD, for the priest.

 

23:21.      On that same day you shall hold a celebration; it shall be a sacred occasion for you; you shall not work at your occupations. This is a law for all time in all your settlements, throughout the ages.

 

23:22.     And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I the LORD am your God.

 

23:23.     The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

 

23:24.     Speak to the Israelite people thus: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe complete rest, a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts.

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23:25.      You shall not work at your occupations; and you shall bring an offering by fire to the LORD.

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23:26.      The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

 

23:27.      Mark, the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a sacred occasion for you: you shall practice self-denial, and you shall bring an offering by fire to the LORD;

 

23:28.      you shall do no work throughout that day. For it is a Day of Atonement, on which expiation is made on your behalf before the LORD your God.

 

23:29.      lndeed, any person who does not practice self-denial throughout that day shall be cut off from his kin;

 

23:30.      and whoever does any work throughout that day, I will cause that person to perish from among his people.

 

23:31.       Do no work whatever; it is a law for all time, throughout the ages in all your settlements.

 

23:32.      It shall be a sabbath of complete rest for you, and you shall practice self-denial; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall observe this your sabbath.

 

23:33.      The LORD spoke to Moses, saying:

 

23:34.      Say to the Israelite people: On the fifteenth day of this seventh month there shall be the Feast of Booths to the LORD, [to last] seven days.

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23:35.      The first day shall be a sacred occasion: you shall not work at your occupations;

 

23:36.      seven days you shall bring offerings by fire to the LORD. On the eighth day you shall observe a sacred occasion and bring an offering by fire to the LoRD; it is a solemn gathering: you shall not work at your occupations.

 

23:37.      Those are the set times of the LORD which you shall celebrate as sacred occasions, bringing offerings by fire to the LORD – burnt offerings, meal offerings, sacrifices, and libations, on each day what is proper to it-

 

23:38.      apart from the sabbaths of the LORD, and apart from your gifts and from all your votive offerings and from all your freewill offerings that you give to the LORD.

 

23:39.      Mark, on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the yield of your land, you shall observe the festival of the LORD [to last] seven days: a complete rest on the first day, and a complete rest on the eighth day.

 

23:40.      On the first day you shall take the product of hadar trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.

 

23:41.       You shall observe it as a festival of the LORD for seven days in the year; you shall observe it in the seventh month as a law for all time, throughout the ages.

 

23:42.       You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in booths,

 

23:43.       in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I the LORD your God.

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23:44.       So Moses declared to the Israelites the set times of the LORD.

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This English translation is reprinted with permission from Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures published by the Jewish Publication Society.

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Saturday, September 26, 2020
HA'AZINU, DEUTERONOMY 32:1-32:52

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This is the 53rd weekly Torah portion ( פָּרָשָׁה‎, parashah) and the 10th in the Book of Deuteronomy. It constitutes Deuteronomy 32:1–52. Here, Moses shares a song to the Israelites that emphasizes their covenant with God.

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• From MyJewishLearning.com: When It’s Better to Do Verse by Rabbi Arnow

• From Aish.com: 

  • ​Don’t be Spoiled by Neshanel Safran (Commentary for Children & Their Parents with questions to ask)

  • The Arc of the Moral Universe by Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks (Advanced Commentary)​

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Torah Commentary for Rosh HaShanah 2020

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• From ReformJudaism.org: Yom Sheini shel Rosh HaShanah for Tweens by Barbara Kadden

• From Reform Judaism Blog: How Midrash and Commentary Help Us Read Between the Lines