Parsha: Shemot (2026)
One of the inspiring stories from the Chanukah Festival at Bondi Beach, was with my cousin Chaya Dadon, just 14 years old, who found herself in the midst of unimaginable chaos. When the shooting began, Chaya sought shelter beneath a bench, as did many others. For several long minutes, as fear filled the air, those […]
Parsha: Vayechi (2026)
As we approach the Shloshim of those we have lost, we pause to reflect on the enduring lessons of these precious souls. This week’s Parsha is Vayechi. One might expect it to focus on the lives of Yaakov and Yosef, yet much of the portion speaks about their passing. Why, then, is the Parsha called […]
Parsha: Vayigash (2025)
Words cannot fully capture what it meant to return to Bondi Beach and light the Chanukiah with thousands of people. Standing side by side, we felt a powerful sense of unity, resilience, and defiance in the face of darkness and evil. There are aspects of Judaism that require faith to accept. One such idea is […]
Parsha: Miketz (2025)
How are you feeling? How is your family? How are the kids? We were all asking these questions this past week. If you are feeling overwhelmed, know that you are not alone. We are all in this together. Reach out to a friend, spiritual leader, or a professional, and get the help and support that […]
Parsha: VaYeishev (2025)
Turning on the Light In this week’s Parsha, we read the painful story of the sale of Yosef. Before the brothers sell him, they cast him into a pit. The Torah tells us, “The pit was empty; there was no water in it.” If the pit was empty, then of course there wouldn’t be water! […]
Parsha: Vayishlach (2025)
“What Is Your Name?”In an enigmatic story, in this weeks Parsha, Yaakov wrestles through the night with a mysterious angel of Eisav. At the height of the struggle, Yaakov asks a simple but powerful question: “What is your name?” The angel answers; “I have no name.” Our sages explain that this nameless angel represents the […]
Parsha: Vayeitzei (2025)
What holds more power, the things we say, or the moments we choose not to? In this week’s Torah portion, we meet Rachel, the mother of the Jewish people. What is the source of her unique power? What makes her the true matriarch of Israel? Rashi points out that even the sons born to Leah […]
Parsha: Toldot (2025)
This past week, I had the privilege to meet Rabbi Daniel Walker from the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester. He described the moments when his community was attacked by a terrorist on Yom Kippur just two months ago. I was attending a conference in New York, where he shared his experience in front […]
Parsha: Chayei Sarah (2025)
This week, as we read Parshat Chayei Sarah, thousands of people will travel to the holy city of Chevron (Hebron) the first Jewish city, where Avraham Avinu lived and where our forefathers and foremothers are buried in the Ma’arat HaMachpelah, the Cave of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs. Every year, during this Parsha, there is a […]
Parsha: Vayeira (2025)
This week’s Torah portion, Vayeira, tells one of the most powerful stories in the Torah, the moment when G-d tested Abraham by asking him to offer his beloved son, Isaac, as a sacrifice.  Isaac had been born to Abraham and Sarah after many long years of waiting and hoping for a child. He was […]