Northeast District Blog Posts

I Grew Up With A Spare Leg In The Closet

Trina Novak
July 26, 2023

You shall not insult the deaf, or place a stumbling block before the blind… Leviticus 19:14

 

I grew up with a spare leg in the closet. It belonged to my father, Sidney Novak, who was an amputee army veteran from WWII.

On April 14, 1945, Sidney was...

Handmaids Show Up for Israeli Democracy

Shoshana Dweck, VP of Social Justice, Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY
July 18, 2023

“Astonishing.”

That is the word acclaimed author Margaret Atwood chose to describe images of protestors marching as “handmaids.” It is astonishing and inspiring to see the sea of red and white in the middle of the protests. It is astonishing and...

Parashat Matot-Mas’ei

Marsha B. Moller
July 14, 2023
As part of a sisterhood/women’s group, we achieve consensus, agree to accept a decision, and move forward. Maybe the deliberations are difficult. But, these challenging conversations allow for the betterment of the group. We accept the imperfect and agree to amend when needed. These five courageous sisters in this parashah provide an example of women united in sisterhood. It takes courage to state one’s position. It takes compromise to reach a consensus. It takes skill and willpower to keep looking forward.