Emanuel Congregation | Reform Jewish Synagogue

Ben Zoma said: Who is rich? He who rejoices in his lot, as it is said: “You shall enjoy the fruit of your labors, you shall be happy and you shall prosper” (Psalms 128:2) …Who is he that is honored? He who honors his fellow human beings… Pirke Avot 4:1 In as much as Judaism is a religious practice, it is remarkable for its insistence to be present to the blessings that surround us at this time of year and always. Certainly the celebration of Thanksgiving has a Jewish bend; it

Fall is my favorite season. Every year, I look forward to reacquainting myself with the section of my closet that holds my boots and sweaters. I love that morning when I step outside and it finally feels chilly enough to put on a jacket. I get so excited to make my annual switch from iced to hot coffee. Most of all, I love when my hours of planning over the summer finally come to life, with teachers, parents, and students all back in the synagogue on Sunday mornings. The quie

On the evening of Nov. 28, 1998, a transgender woman named Rita Hester was violently stabbed in her apartment. She was found clinging to life, but died a few minutes later from cardiac arrest as she arrived at the hospital. She was two days shy of her 35th birthday. Her murder (or murderers) is still at large. A year later, advocate and writer Gwendolyn Ann Smith coordinated a vigil in her honor. The commemoration remembered not only Rita, but all who were tragically lost to

A Special Message from Cantor Michelle Drucker Friedman and David Rakofsky, President Friends, In Parashat Vayera (Genesis 18), we read that Abraham is poised at the entrance of his tent in the hottest part of the day, after his self-inflicted circumcision. Why would he not be resting inside after such a trial? We are told that even given the circumstances, Abraham sits waiting to invite a passerby to enjoy a place of respite. Rabbinic commentators posit that his tent is open