Rabbi Koppell’s Writings
For the last year or so, I have been working out at “Orange Theory” at Tatum and Shea, though there are Orange Theory franchises all over. I like the 1-hour interval concept, and I love not having to think about my exercise routine. Walk in, one hour later, walk out-…
a) One who has crossed the ocean(an overseas flight travel, etc.) b) One who has crossed the desert c) One who recovered from a very serious illness d) One who was released from Included in the category of desert are all other life threatening situations from which one is saved…
Simcha Lev ben Tzvi v’Channah Leo Saul Koppell- 174. Born in Brooklyn, NY- 3/30/33, the eldest of Harold and Jessie’s two boys. When I was little, for the longest time I thought that his middle name was “Salt.” Leo survived his brother Eddie by almost 10 years, and he…
When I first raised my hand 37 years ago and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States I had no idea what I was doing. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY, near what was then the US Army Chaplain School at Fort Hamilton, NY. Knowing that I wanted…
Would you like to save your soul? Not a question we Jews normally ask, yet, this week’s parsha, Ki Tissa, comes to teach us precisely that- how to save our souls. The answer can be summarized in one word- giving. As the portion opens, Moses is taking a census of…
We take this incredible love for granted – which is what makes it so profoundly painful when children grow up and the bond between parents and children is severed. How often, way too often, I hear this terrible tale of parents and children who no longer speak to each other.…
Instead of complaining about the sink of dirty dishes, we should be thankful that we have plenty of food to eat. Instead of complaining about the piles of laundry that need to be washed, folded and put away, we should be thankful that we have clothing to wear. Instead of…
I hate not being perfect. When I discover a typo in an email that I’ve sent, it’s painful. If I forget to call someone, I beat myself up. I know- it’s an impossible standard. And it’s not so healthy, because I sometimes, then, kind of, sort of, also expect other…
Rosh HaShanah begins, joyously and appropriately, with the story of the birth of Isaac. A beautiful metaphor for all the possibilities of a new year. And yet, something is drastically wrong. If we look just below the surface, there is a sub-text of bullying and exclusion. First, there is this…
Erev Rosh HaShanah- The story of the Jewish people begins with God saying to Abraham, “Lech Lecha – Go forth.” Abraham and Sarah pack up their life and their family and go, having no idea where their journey will lead them. Beginnings are exciting and frightening, especially when we don’t…