Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
We all know the story of this week’s Torah portion, how Noah is identified as the only righteous person in his generation, and delegated to build an ark, bring the animals in two by two and save humanity post-flood. Noah dutifully complies and the ark sails away with his family,…
I recently read that “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” (Carl Bard) To me, this was the perfect reflection on this week’s Torah portion, Bereshit. Following the intensity of the High Holidays and…
Kol Nidre, Temple Chai, 2022 Tonight we begin our Yom Kippur journey. This time is a gift we give ourselves to renew and restore relationships that are in need of repair, and to forgive ourselves for our many imperfections. We began 40 days ago, on Rosh Chodesh Elul. By now,…
Listen to the words of Frank Sinatra’s memorable tune, “My Way.” And now the end is hereAnd so I face that final curtainMy friend I’ll make it clearI’ll state my case, of which I’m certainI’ve lived a life that’s fullI traveled each and every highwayAnd more, much more than this…
I remember seeing an Army wall calendar that had a sign next to it, “Dates on the calendar are closer than they may appear.” Isn’t that the truth? It feels like someone pushed “fast forward” on my life, the time goes by SO quickly. And so- we find ourselves preparing…
The word “Emor,” the name of this week’s Torah portion, means “speak.” In the Torah, God gives instruction to Moses to pass along to the priests. In other words, SPEAK to the priests. I’m translating Emor as “speak up.” The Department of Homeland Security tells us, “If you see something,…
As we come together on this Shabbat, I want to speak for a moment about the controversy that erupted this week regarding a possible Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs. Wade which made abortion legal in 1973. First of all, let’s talk about the leak of this document. The Torah…
There are, traditionally, 613 mitzvot in the Torah. Fifty One of them are found in this week’s parsha, Kedoshim. Kadosh, of course, means holiness. It’s the root of many words that are familiar- kiddush, the blessing over the wine, kaddish, the prayer that occurs in many forms in the prayerbook,…
Thoughts on the Humbling Gift of Being Honored On October 5th at 5:55 p.m., Lea Plosker called to ask if I would accept the honor of being celebrated at this year’s gala. Will it surprise you to learn that, a) of course I said yes, and, b) I had written…
On being honored at the Temple Chai gala- I am feeling so much love in this room right now that it is a bit overwhelming. It’s too much for me. Can you feel it? I’ve been thinking a lot of the song “Everybody” by Ingrid Michaelson, which you have…