Contemporary Life

No Regrets in the Year Ahead Rabbi Bonnie Koppell   Listen to the words of Frank Sinatra’s memorable tune, “My Way.” And now the end is here And so I face that final curtain My friend [...]

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 [...]

Putin IS Amalek- Purim 2022 Rabbi Bonnie Koppell   Shabbat Zachor- the Shabbat of Remembering.  That’s the special name given to this Shabbas, the Shabbat before Purim.  So what, exactly, [...]

  Purim 2022:  A deadly serious celebration Rabbi Bonnie Koppell This Wednesday night we will come together for the light and joyous holiday of Purim.  Purim comes on the 14th of Adar, the [...]

Dear Friends, I can’t stop thinking about Babi Yar this week, a ravine in the Ukraine where 75,000 Jews were slaughtered in WWII. Bloodshed is, sadly, well-known to the people of the Ukraine, [...]

Creation, the beauty of the creation, is a foundation of Kabbalat Shabbat.  We begin with 6 psalms, one representing each day of the week, each day of the creation of the world, culminating in [...]

  When Jessie was pregnant with Helena, we had a baby shower for her.  Cards were passed out, and among the questions was, “I hope that you always remember, fill in the blank.”  What is it [...]

Tevye Explains It All:  Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Judaism Can Be Learned  From “Fiddler on the Roof” Rabbi Bonnier Koppell Erev Rosh HaShanah 2021, Temple Chai, [...]

Taps For Private Jason Daniel Hasenauer/Taps for Afghanistan Rabbi Bonnie Koppell Temple Chai, August 2021   At Kabbalat Shabbat we reflect on the week that is drawing to a close.  My week [...]

Shabbat Nachamu Now! Rabbi Bonnie Koppell   Shabbat Nachamu, the Shabbat of Comfort.  It’s an actual date ON the Jewish calendar.  It occurs every summer, in the 7 weeks of comfort and [...]