Voices of WRJ
By Annice Benamy , 10/19/2018
I first heard Debbie Friedman’s music in 1976 at an Ohio summer camp. Twenty years later I heard “L’chi Lach”, a song Debbie Friedman and feminist biblical scholar Savina Teuba wrote based on this week’s parashah, Lecha L’cha (“go forth”). Friedman’s text uses the feminine words “l’chi lach.” Genesis 12:1-3 tells the story of Avram and Sarai as they begin a journey of faith and to be blessed on this journey. God says, "Leave your land, your birthplace, and your father's house and go to the land that I will show you." It was difficult for Avram to leave behind everything he has ever... Read More
By Heather Lorgeree, 10/12/2018
When most people think of this week’s Torah portion, Noach, they think of the flood, the ark, and the animals. When I think of Noach, I think of cross stitch, Canada, and connection. During my first week at WRJ, I made plans to connect with the Vice President that I would be working with, Sara Charney. While getting to know each other, I shared with her that I was a knitter. She paused before asking if I did other needle crafts. I responded that occasionally I would do a cross stitch project. Coincidentally Sara had just been introduced to a unique new project by Temma Gentiles, who was... Read More
By Becky Markowitz, 10/05/2018
Time flies – that’s the bad news – the good news is we are the pilots. This is especially true during the High Holy Days and the fall festivals; another New Year is beginning. Where did the last year go? It went fast. As each year ends and a new year is on the horizon, we get a chance to look back and to look ahead at another new beginning: B’reishit. I know many of us are especially reminded about those we love who are no longer with us and events of the past as we approach the new year. For me, it brings back childhood memories when we travelled to my Nanny’s house. all the wonderful... Read More
By Pamela Lear, 9/28/2018
One of the joys of reading Torah year after year is finding the relevance and connection to our lives in new and different ways. As Rabbi Ben Bag Bag said in Pirke Avot, “Turn the Torah over and over for everything is in it. Look into it, grow old and worn over it, and never move away from it, for you will find no better portion than it.” I’m in the midst of planning for our WRJ District Biennial, and couldn’t help but notice the lessons to be learned from Sukkot in considering the potential for making meaning at the upcoming conference. This Shabbat is known as Chol Ha Moed Sukkot and we... Read More
By Dr. Madelyn Katz, 9/21/2018
In this week’s Torah portion, Ha’azinu, Moses faces the reality that he will not be joining the Israelites as they enter the Promised Land. As he faces his death he tells the people “Don’t blame God when things go wrong. God is not here to serve us. God created us to be a blessing to the world.” Moses knew that the Israelites would too easily blame God for their trials and tribulations. God had been telling Moses what to say to the people so, minus Moses, who else would they think to blame? The God that Moses told them was their guiding force. But Moses, knowing that he would not be... Read More
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