The Rabbi's Blog
February 2024
Shalom Sha’arei Shalom, I hope this note finds you well. It has been several months since beginning my tenure as the Rabbi of Sha’arei Shalom and I wanted to share with you some of my recent reflections considering current events. I find comfort in the empathy of this prayer by Rabbi Tamara Cohen, based on […]
read more »Rabbi Craig’s Introductory Message
Shalom Sha’arei Shalom! I am so delighted to have this opportunity to say hello and thanks for inviting me to be your new rabbi. I am grateful to Rabbi Eric for making the introduction and to Carolyn Fertig, the Search Committee, and the Board for opening the door. And, meeting some of you, whether at […]
read more »Rabbi Margie’s Farewell Message
8/24/2018 Falling in Love Seven years ago I stood before you for the first time – one month after receiving rabbinic ordination, one month before meeting Jeremy and beginning the journey that led me to have my own family. I had become a rabbi to do faith-based social justice work, and assumed I would be […]
read more »This Summer, Support Those Not Feeling Too Sunny
I hope this season of blooming and warming is allowing you to spend more time outside, breathe a little slower, and soak up the sun. Yet, even as imminent summer activities urge us to be carefree, LIFE is still happening, sometimes in challenging ways. While some of us may be romping in fields of dandelions […]
read more »March 2017
Rabbi’s Letter Dear friends, I hope you are well! As many of you have likely heard, I suffered from a bad fall in early January, and have been healing from a concussion and skull fracture ever since. This experience has been challenging and sometimes scary, but has also made me appreciate our community even more. For […]
read more »January 2017
Rabbi’s Letter Practice Self Care: It’s a Mitzvah! Dear Friends, Happy 2017! If you are like me and millions of other Americans, you have recently made New Year’s resolutions. According to NBC News, the top eight most popular categories of 2017 resolutions focused on self-care. As I made my own resolution to go to sleep […]
read more »December 2016
Dear Friends, Today was the first snow. I woke early for a work trip, and amidst my rushing out to the car, I noticed how quiet the world had become. I stopped for a minute and stared up at the sky as the snowflakes swirled around me, and I felt grateful that nature had reminded me […]
read more »November 2016
Rabbi’s Letter Dear Friends, I write to you the morning after the election. Trump will be our next president. It should not be surprising that I am deeply disappointed and troubled at this turn of events, and concerned for our country’s racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural minorities. For me, this moment brings us three great […]
read more »September 2016
Dear Friends, The High Holidays are a time of sacred possibility. We imagine that despite the habits and shortcomings that have held us back in the past, this year, we have the capacity to be different. This year, we have the capacity to be our best selves, to forge the best relationships we can, create […]
read more »August 2016
Rabbi’s Letter Violence and Hatred in America: A Jewish Response Dear Friends, In last week’s Torah portion, Parashat Balak, King Balak sends his prophet Bilaam to curse the Israelites. Bilaam tries three times, and each time, with the intervention of an angel and a talking donkey, Bilaam winds up blessing the Israelites instead. Then, at […]
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