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…
Parsha: Lech Lecha (2025)
An 80-year-old man arrived at his doctor’s office for an appointment. The waiting room was crowded, and he patiently sat in line for his turn. The doctor, noticing the elderly man glancing repeatedly at his watch, could tell he seemed to be in a hurry. When it was finally his turn, the doctor invited him…
Parsha: Noach (2025)
It’s not often that we get to celebrate a 100th Birthday of a dear friend. on Wednesday Regina/ Gina Stark celebrated her 100th birthday Bh!A Holocaust survivor, founding member of our Shule, and a dear friend to many in our community. I had the privilege and honour to visit Regina just before her birthday and…
Parsha: Vezot Habracha (2025)
Simchat Torah & Shmini Atzeret Hope you all are enjoying Sukkot! As I am writing this, my prayer and hope is that we hear good news for the hostages, and their safe return to their families. As we come closer to Simchat Torah, I want to wish Mazal tov to our Chatan Torah Bryan Woolf…
Parsha: Ha’zinu (2025)
Vzot hab’racha / Sukkot Wow ! What a special Yom Kippur that was…. We now enter in the festive and joyous time of this festive season. Next week from Monday night, we will start to celebrate the joyous holiday of Sukkot. The Talmud tells us that “One who has not seen the joy of the…