The presidential election is less than two weeks away. Most Americans who are paying attention (believe it or not, not everyone is) are on pins and needles – what will be the outcome? Will there be a peaceful transfer of power? Can we be sure that extremists will not provoke … READ MORE

Dear friends, The sages tell us that the gates of heaven do not fully close at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. Some say we have until Hoshana Rabbah (this Friday) to wish each other a “g’mar tov” (a “good finish”), some say Shmini Atzeret (Saturday) and some even say you have until … READ MORE

Dear friends, What an incredible Holy Day season this has been. Last year, or even just this past February, who could have imagined that we would be meeting for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services on Zoom and YouTube Live? And that, somehow, it would all work out ok? We all … READ MORE

Dear friends, We are only hours from Rosh Hashana. In a year unlike any other, we are all trying to make sense of our reality. Grieving for what we are missing, celebrating the things we have, and finding meaning in the chaos around us are all intertwined this year in a way … READ MORE

Friends, On Saturday, September 12 from 9:00 – 10:30 pm, we will be joining together with other communities in S’lichot Across Brooklyn. The service will feature contributions from the rabbis and cantors of fourteen synagogues and organizations. You can request the Zoom link here: https://cbebk.shulcloud.com/hhds/s’lichot5780 Rabbi Sam Levine

Friends, With Rosh Hashana beginning two weeks from tonight, I’d like to fill you in on some important information regarding the holidays. As I’m sure everyone is aware, we will be conducting all High Holy Day services online. As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, the main services will be somewhat abbreviated this … READ MORE

Friends, The month of Elul, which begins tonight and will end with Rosh Hashanah, is meant to be a month of intense introspection during which we are asked to grapple with the complex themes of the High Holy Days. It is a time for “getting right with God” and also with … READ MORE

Yesterday, we celebrated the minor Jewish holiday of Tu b’Av – “the 15th of the month of Av.”  Tu b’Av is celebrated in Israel as a kind of Valentine’s Day, based upon a passage from the Mishna (Ta’anit 4:8).  On this day of great joy, “…the daughters of Jerusalem would come out and dance in … READ MORE

The Talmud famously relates that Jerusalem was destroyed due to sinat chinam – baseless hatred: “There was a certain man whose friend was named Kamtza and whose enemy was named bar Kamtza. He once made a large feast and said to his servant: Go bring me my friend Kamtza. The servant went and mistakenly … READ MORE