Yoo Hoo…this is the last call for your 2021 Virtual Journal ad to celebrate our extraordinary honoree — the inimitable, indomitable Sara Bloom. Past President,  Recording Secretary, Treasurer, current Vice President and Lunch and Learn Queen. And lest you forget our shul gem, just monitor your inbox at the end of each month for Sara’s award-winning monthly newsletter, The Shofar. This year marks the confluence of two unique opportunities to celebrate in one electronic [...]

What was intended to be a “kvell” in this issue of The Shofar — a boast about the state of our shul and the Visionary Award we just won from the USJC for our Lunch and Learn Hybrid idea — faded with the crisis in Israel. It appeared for all to see that “the little shul that could,” competing with the larger, more affluent, well-staffed synagogues on Long Island, had come out on top. We [...]

From the isolation of the pandemic, new patterns of behavior have emerged in my life. There is still the vitality of relationships, even though occurring electronically, also Shabbat services with fellow congregants Zooming into the sanctuary to make a minyan. And then there are the Zoom family gatherings for celebrations and games and, yes, sometimes just to exchange ideas. Peppered through all of it are endless emails, texts, phone calls and meetings — powered by the mobile device [...]

“From Matzah to Mitzvah”…It always makes me smile to see those words, to make the connection from the mitzvah of eating matzah, to the mitzvah of giving, and to the heartfelt sentiment of giving beyond the mere legal obligation or duty to do so.  As we celebrate our Passover Zoom Seders on March 27 and 28 at 7:30 pm, I remind you that when we re-open our shul to the joy of seeing one another [...]

Historical references attributed to contemporary times seem to appear almost magical when I reflect on their relevance. Suddenly there is a new way to interpret an old story. So it was with the tale of the myth of Masada at Rabbi Gadi’s Lunch and Learn history class. Who  could forget a visit to Masada? Or that hike up Snake Trail? Located on the eastern edge of the Judaean Desert overlooking the Dead Sea, in what [...]

“Why don’t you Jews go back to Jew-land,” shrieked my friend’s mother, standing on the hill in front of her house while my 6-year-old self stood below her on the sidewalk. Looking up at her red face contorted with anger, I just waited there, confused. I played with Joan all the time. Why did her mom say that? That was an early lesson in antisemitism, the first of other such events through the years. But [...]

That phrase, a new normal, is one we often associate with some life-altering illness or enduring circumstances, yes, like the COVID pandemic that has upended the global community. But today, as we look forward, I think we can agree that our new normal offers new opportunities and redeeming features. Ultimately, I believe there will be even more to surprise and delight us. Look at what has occurred in our little synagogue. In 2020 alone, we [...]

“Gam zu l’tovah” ...and this, too, is for the good....   What a wonderful phrase. And so appropriate for our time. As we face increased restrictions in our shul and frightening infection rates in the wider world we inhabit, we embrace the protocols that keep us safe, and we carve out a path to innovation and success. Covid-19 gave us an opportunity to see who we are and what we could accomplish. And Wow! We [...]

The High Holidays 2020 were an unprecedented collaboration in unprecedented times. It was the discovery of a worldwide mishpucha — a connection to a family you didn’t know you had. New faces coming from new places in the United States, Canada, and Israel. Indeed, this year was unlike any other. Yes, we have been saying that for many months. But because of Rabbi Gadi’s leadership, these High Holidays were truly inspiring as well as spiritually [...]

Chag Sameach. Here we are in the year 5781, filled with prayers and messages of faith, renewal and hope for a sweet and healthy New Year. We are at that auspicious time of the year when we have heard the Biblical wake-up call of the shofar, and have symbolically cast our sins upon the waters. The traditions are familiar, yet it is all very different. The hugs are not there. The touch of the hand [...]