![]() By Rabbi Harold J. Kravitz The day in July that I heard about the passing of Elie Wiesel, I knew immediately that I would want to honor his memory this Yom Kippur. So often I have quoted his teachings during the High Holidays, especially in the martyrology, Eleh Ezkarah, as I did today. This Yom Kippur, as we reflect on our responsibilities as Jews and as human beings, and as we will soon recite Yizkor, the Memorial prayers, it seems only right to take time to remember Elie Wiesel’s legacy and to commit to honoring him by our actions. ![]() by Julie Carpenter, Adath Communications Manager Evelyn Rosen Budd, Etta Fay Orkin and Carole Epstein are celebrating their Second B’nai Mitzvah together this Shabbat, seventy years after the trio celebrated their first B’nai Mitzvah together. The three were part of a group of seven girls at Temple of Aaron in St. Paul. These young women were among the first girls in the state to celebrate their B’nai Mitzvah. The year was 1946 and the war had just ended. ![]() By Sharon Garber, Hesed Chair As the newly minted chair of Adath’s Hesed Committee, I decided to do a “walk-about” inside and outside of the synagogue to capture people’s varying concepts of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. I have had many interesting conversations. The one I had recently with Lenny Garber (no relation – but a cool guy) was one of the most inspiring. ![]() By David A. Orenstein The rabbis were kind enough this year to invite me to share some thoughts and observations about the High Holiday season and the role of the shofar. (I know, hard to believe it’s that time of year already). My favorite line of the Rosh Hashanah shofar service has always been: “Awake ye sleepers from your slumber.” I thought of it recently at the morning minyan, which my dad and I have attended once a week for about the past ten years. (Then off to Perkins for pancakes). ![]() by Rabbi Harold Kravitz During this election season, we are expected to judge the character of those who will serve as leaders at every level of government. So how do we determine the quality of a person's character? New York Times columnist David Brooks, in his widely acclaimed book, The Road To Character, explores this issue observing that, "we live in a culture that focuses on external success. We live in a fast, distracted culture. We’ve lost some of the vocabulary other generations had to describe the inner confrontation with weakness that produces good character." Brooks suggests a person of character "radiates an inner light." ![]() by Anna Simon I love the family service. When Zach was little, I loved it for what it was...a place to celebrate the holidays with young children. A place to simultaneously bounce your child on your hip, sing Aleinu and inconspicuously pick up the Cheerios that spilled out of your purse on Yom Kippur. A place where it was the norm to chase your child around the room or try to spot them as they teetered up the stairs. It was more than a place, it was a kehilah, a community. ![]() Debbie Spencer has two jobs. She’s the Adath president and she’s a Vice President and Relationship Manager in the Institutional Trust division at U.S. Bank. Just as she doubles up on work, she also doubles her contributions to Adath through the U.S. Bank Employee Matching Gift Program. ![]() by Joel Mintzer An anniversary is a commemoration that occurs annually. Today, I am celebrating a Bar Mitzversary: an event that occurs only once every 13 years. This Shabbat is the third Bar Mitzversary of my original Bar Mitzvah in 1977. In other words, 39 years later. Thirty nine years ago, like today, I gave a d’var torah, and read the maftir and haftorah. But back then, my d’var torah was written by my father. He was grateful to see the last of four children reach the milestone, and the speech thus referred to me as the caboose of the family. ![]() By Janessa Berkowitz Like any parent, I am always seeking out and pursuing opportunities where my daughter (who is 3) can experience beautiful people, who will gently help her learn how to similarly navigate and enjoy the complex world around her. As parents, we all essentially want to prepare our kids for what can be the harsh realities of life (without losing the fun). We work diligently to answer their complex questions with understandable and digestible answers (without heading down the rabbit holes we cannot, or dare not, explain). As parents, we also know that lessons learned early can help build a strong foundation for thoughtful decision-making later in life (when we are not there to guide them-gulp). This task is a BIG one. ![]() by Jodi Rubin From Jodi's remarks at Gan Graduation Our family has been at the Gan for a while. Maybe because I'm the incoming Adath Secondary Vice President or maybe because after tonight I'll have four Gan alumni, I was asked to say a few words. We started here when our oldest son, Jack was 2 years old. Jack will be 12 this summer, followed by Julia, who will be 10 and Samantha, who is 7. We have spent the last 10 consecutive years as parents at Gan Shelanu. That is a pretty long run! In those 10 years, a lot has changed in the size of our family, the number of wrinkles on my face, and the frequency that I have to color my hair. But within that time and those changes, it is my perspective as a parent that has grown and developed the most. |
Who's writing?Adath clergy, staff, and congregants share Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|