A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH: TERUMAH (EXODUS 25:1-27:19)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant In last week’s Torah Parsha (MISHPATIM), Moses provided clarification of the Ten Commandments, given to the Israelites, by God, at Mount Sinai. Additionally, the Children of Israel learned the nature of numerous other laws, commandments, prohibitions; and, the consequences for disobedience. This week’s Torah Parsha (TERUMAH), begins with God’s […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: Parsha BO

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant This week’s Torah Parsha (BO) continues with the story of Exodus. God had already inflicted seven devastating plagues on Egypt, subsequent to the Pharaoh’s perpetual denial to free the enslaved Israelites. In Parsha (BO), it becomes apparent that from the very first time that God approached Moses (behind the […]

A ‘BISSEL OF TORAH: SHEMOT (EXODUS 1:1-6:1)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   The opening chapters of Exodus plunge us into a midst of epic events. Moses passes from Prince of Egypt; to Midianite shepherd; to leader of the Israelites.   The narrative begins with a new Pharaoh of Egypt, “who did not know of Joseph” (1). However, the descendants of […]

A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH: VAYECHI (GENESIS 44:28-50:26)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   In last week’s Torah Parsha (VAYIGASH), Joseph became overwhelmed with emotion, when he learned that his father, Jacob was still alive. He revealed his identity to his eleven brothers; and, urged them to bring his father and all of their wives and children to Egypt. The brothers were […]

A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH: VETCHANAN (DEUTERONOMY 3:23-7:11)

By Joy Scott, Congregant In last week’s Torah Parsha (DEVARIM), we heard the words of Moses, as he explained to the Children of Israel the sins and transgressions committed by their forefathers, with the consequence that God banned them from entering the ‘Promised Land’. He also told them the reason he believed the he, also, […]

Am Haskalah Annual Congregational Meeting, June 4, 2017 Past Presidents Speech

RISA DORFMAN This past year has brought us forward in many phases. Our community has joined together to create a stronger, more unified bond, spiritually, religiously and in matters of individual or group assistance. We have forged forward in financial planning and restructuring our basic monthly routines, of course always keeping our Charter and founders’ plans in […]

A ‘BISSEL’ OF TORAH PARSHA: BEHAR (LEVITICUS 25:1-26:2), BECHUKOTAI (LEVITICUS 26:3-27:34) By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah, Congregant

This week, we read a double Parshiot, from the Torah (BEHAR) and (BECHKOTAI), the finale of the Book of LEVUTICUS. The primary themes of Parsha (BEHAR) are laws and commandments, pertaining to freedom, equality, and charity with ‘dignity’. The Lord spoke to Moses and said: “Tell the Children of Israel, you may sow your field […]

Words of Torah from Student Rabbi Janine Jankovitz Pastor

This week we read in Exodus the Torah parsha Mishpatim. Mishpatim, the Hebrew word for “laws”, contains many laws addressing Hebrew slaves, homicide, assault, homicidal animals, theft, seduction, sorcery, and more. At the end of this parsha, Moses repeats the commandments to the people as laid out by Gd, and the people respond, “All the […]