A congregant shared with me the attached notice from the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, Massachusetts.  There is 600-year-old synagogue on the island of Crete that suffered two arson attacks in January, devastating its library and archives.  If you are a history or art buff in particular, click through and see if you have any… Continue reading

In Nashua, it's snowing.  A lot of inches since some time in the middle of the night, and it hasn't stopped.  There's no school anywhere, last I checked no one has gone into the office at the synagogue.  Many businesses and offices are open snow or shine, but I imagine a lot of people are… Continue reading

Tefillat Yitzchak (“The Prayer of Yitzchak”) is my evolving guide to the Siddur (prayerbook) and the practice of Jewish prayer.  On this page I post all the things I have written, and add as I go. Daily Minyan FAQs My philosophy of prayer Glossary of terms related to prayer and the prayerbook Choreography of prayer… Continue reading

Shabbat Morning Synaplex at Temple Beth Abraham  Beginning Saturday Morning, October 23Twice Each Month — November 6 and 20 Synaplex is:   a way for every Jew to find an individual path into the celebration of Shabbat an opportunity to join in community for words of Torah and song, and the joy of Shabbat Here’s how… Continue reading

Click here for the text. Continue reading

Click here for the sound of the Shofar Hour-by-hour schedule and overview of High Holy Day services at Beth Abraham 18-minute video above: 5 Big Ideas for the High Holy Days and 5 interpretations of shofar Prior years’ High Holy Day sermons are here Glossary of terms and concepts related to this time of year… Continue reading

Friday Night Jam at Temple Beth AbrahamComing Up:  December 20 We do this every few months —  bring instruments if you like or just your voice! I post some sheet music ahead of time.  Here is a file with a bunch of it.  Most of it is copyright, so I’ll trust you print it for… Continue reading

COEJL — Coalition on the Environment and Jewish LifeAn umbrella organization for the American Jewish community.  The site has practical ideas as well as educational material. Conservative Movement Shomrei Adamah InitiativeThree things synagogues can do to go green. Connecticut Bar Mitzvah Student Helps Synagogue Install Solar Panels New Hampshire Carbon Challenge Answer questions about your… Continue reading

What follows are a number of things to make it easier for anyone to make a Kosher for Passover home or lead a Seder, even if these are new to you!   Pesach Kashrut Guide 5778 Keeping kosher for Pesach is a ladder; you can climb a bit higher each year.  Read about that, and… Continue reading

As promised, you can now listen to a short podcast relating to Purim.  You can read what is essentially the same thing as well. Simchat Purim — have a joyous holiday! Continue reading

Rosh Hashanah 5784 (2023) Day 1            Glimmers Rosh Hashanah 5784 (2023) Day 2            Through Regret   Rosh Hashanah 5783 (2022) Day 1           Help Me Talk About What I’ve Been Through and Who I Am Rosh Hashanah 5783 (2022) Day 2           Right-ology: How to Be Right Better in the… Continue reading

Jewish FundS for JusticeThis is a terrific organization that gives grants and technical assistance to grassroots organizations combating poverty in the U.S.  I have been involved with their community investment program, which enables Jewish institutions and individuals to invest as little as $1,000 in loan funds that support community development in low-income areas. American Jewish… Continue reading