Voices of WRJ
By Debbie Jackson , 2/15/2019
While digging deep into our Torah portion for this week, Tetzavah, I found an abundance of text that relates beautifully to our mission of WRJ. In this Parashah, it states God commands “you shall command his sons of Israel to use pure olive oil for kindling the light of the lamps. Aaron shall set up this light to burn continuously in the sanctuary. It will serve as a light for God for all generations.” It is explained that the oil represents the spiritual potential in every Jew. We, as members and leaders of WRJ, are the lights for our movement. As the “lights,” we are called upon to... Read More
By Sharon Zydney, 2/08/2019
On February 8, 1974, a very snowy evening 45 years ago, I became a Bat Mitzvah. On that Friday night, I chanted Haftorah, led the congregation in worship, and talked about my commitment to Judaism and plans to continue my Jewish education. After services, family and friends traveled the short ½ mile to our home for “supper after services.” The kids hung out in the playroom, the grownups circulated through the formal living room and den and food was served in the dining room. My cousin Tony served as bartender and a friend of the family was our photographer. When I reflect back, I recall both... Read More
By Edith Caplan, 2/01/2019
This Torah portion appears immediately following the giving of the Ten Commandments. Beginning with “These are the rules you shall set before them,” God instructs Moses to impart specific rules governing various aspects of day-to-day life. Beginning with the treatment of slaves, punishment for killing or injuring another in a brawl, etc., very specific examples of crimes are referred to throughout the portion. (goring by an ox, kidnapping, murder through violence or treachery, theft) It is interesting that the fate of women is taken into account in various ways. First, specific rules... Read More
By Jane Taves, 1/25/2019
I have a special fondness for this week’s parashah, Yitro. The most important reason for this is that Yitro was my Bat Mitzvah parashah. Like so many women, I became a Bat Mitzvah as an adult. In 1998, I saw a small article in my congregation bulletin announcing that our cantor was starting a beginners’ adult Hebrew class. At the time, I was not very involved in my congregation. But I had never learned to read Hebrew as a child and all these years I had been muttering along to the best of my ability and I really wanted to learn Hebrew. So, I signed up. There was no talk of a Bat Mitzvah.... Read More
By Julia Weinstein, 1/18/2019
Water is a precious natural resource – both life giving and life sustaining. Yet, in many parts of the world, water supplies are scarce or dwindling. What does water scarcity mean to us today and what does Torah tell us about how to mitigate this scarcity? In B'shalach, Exodus 17:1-7, the Israelites experienced thirst in the wilderness and, turning to their leader, they challenged Moses, “Is the Eternal present among us or not?” Moses complained to God and God instructed Moses: Take your rod and “strike the rock and water will issue from it, and the people will drink.” Moses struck... Read More
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