Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
On this Labor Day weekend, we can be so proud of the critical role of the Jewish community in supporting labor rights and union movements in this country. The holiday was first celebrated in 1882 and was formally established in 1887. The Jewish historical experience, marked by periods of oppression…
Let me tell you about Mary Cohen. A refined woman of Southern upbringing, she lived in a modest two-room apartment in an assisted living facility. At the age of 95, she woke up one morning, got dressed in a dress and stockings, enjoyed breakfast, sat in her easy chair and…
Respect different perspectives. Listen actively to the other person and try to understand the logic of their position. Never use force- physical or psychological. The only legitimate weapons are logic, argument, tradition, and persuasion. We’ll see the violation of this principle in our second example, in addition to Moses striking…
In the world of the rabbinate, we use the expression, “freedom of the pulpit.” It means that, theoretically, no one is supposed to tell us what we are or are not allowed to speak about during services. It DOESN’T mean that everyone will like it, nor does it mean that…
Looking around at the bookshelves in my office, there are only three authors of whom I have collected at least 7 of their works. Maimonides is one. Soren Kierkegaard is another. And Rabbi Harold Kushner is the third. I discovered this fact when I reflected on the death of this…
Akahai- kindness expressed with tenderness. What we might call, “chesed,” gemilut chasadim- loving acts of kindness. Going out of our way to sense what others need and to provide it without even being asked. L – is for Lokahi- unity expressed with harmony. In order to be a community, we…
A Temple Chai member approached me at the nosh a couple of weeks ago with the words, “Rabbi, can I ask you to do me a favor?” I replied, “Of course, anything!” And I really meant it! Knowing this individual as I do, I felt completely comfortable to say yes…
As we come together for Kabbalat Shabbat, I want to talk about something really awesome. That is- the sense of awe itself. In Hebrew we use the term “yirat HaShem,” to be God- fearing, which is sometimes challenging for us to connect with. We are much more comfortable loving God…
I wanted to call to your attention a special feature of our prayers during Chanukkah – the addition of “Al Ha-Nissim” to the Amidah. Al Ha-Nissim- Nissim is the plural of “Nes,” which you know from dreidel fame- nes gadol haya sham- a great miracle happened there. It might be…
Eliezer has a tough job in this week’s Torah portion. How would you like to be responsible for choosing a partner for your boss’s child? Talk about pressure! Yet, he comes up with a unique way to assess who would make the best wife for Isaac. Eliezer and his entourage…