Author:

This author has written 241 articles
Israel Matters!

Israel Matters! – May 2023

Israel has been in world news headlines for several months
now, but not for reasons involving conflict with neighbors.
Instead, the world has witnessed four consecutive months
where Israelis have participated in massive anti-government
demonstrations, as well as a smaller number of gatherings
in support of the current government. What is happening
on the streets of Tel Aviv and other major Israeli cities?
Understanding Israel’s Political System. (more…)

Comments Off on Israel Matters! – May 2023
Odds & Ends / Webmaster's Odds & Ends

Was there a coup in Egypt during the biblical Exodus?

Pharaoh dying in the firstborn plague would lead to the immediate crowning that night of a new Pharaoh. This is further supported by the word “rose”: “And Pharaoh rose up in the night.”

By GOL KALEV  Published: MAY 5, 2023

 

 

MODERN-DAY ‘coup’: Egyptian pro-democracy supporters gather in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in 2011, during the Arab Spring. (photo credit: Mohamed Abd El-Ghany/File/Reuters)

MODERN-DAY ‘coup’: Egyptian pro-democracy supporters gather in Cairo’s Tahrir Square in 2011, during the Arab Spring.
(photo credit: Mohamed Abd El-Ghany/File/Reuters)

How many Pharaohs were there between the time of the Exodus and the time the Hebrews crossed the sea?

The popular read of the story told in the Book of Exodus is about one Pharaoh who changes his policy a number of times due to God’s miracles.

But could there have been more than one?

The Pharaoh with whom Moses and Aharon engaged during the first nine plagues makes clear in their last reported bilateral meeting that this is the last time they will see each other. Moses agrees: “And Pharaoh said unto him: ‘Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in the day thou see my face thou shalt die. And Moses said: ‘Thou hast spoken well; I will see thy face again no more.” (more…)

Comments Off on Was there a coup in Egypt during the biblical Exodus?
Rabbi's Corner

Melvin Passed Away…

When Melvin passed away, G-d greeted him and asked. “Are you hungry, Melvin?”

“I could eat,” Melvin replied.

So G-d opened a can of tuna and reached for a chunk of rye bread and they shared it. (more…)

Comments Off on Melvin Passed Away…
President's Message

April 2023: President’s Message

How will TBS Remain Resilient in a Post-Pandemic Era?

I recently participated in a Zoom Meeting hosted by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ). Synagogue presidents and vice presidents from all over New England, New York, and Canada discussed themes around the topic: “Tradition, Transition and Change: What to Keep, What to Tweak, and What to Get Rid Of”. One of the USCJ synagogue consultants shared that synagogues are in an “adaptive change moment” and showing “resilience.” We used our breakout sessions to reflect on and share the adaptive changes that have been made at our own synagogues. More specifically, we discussed what we did during the pandemic, and what we are doing post-pandemic. (more…)

Comments Off on April 2023: President’s Message
Israel Matters!

Israel Matters! – April 2023

Matzo Madness! Celebrating Passover in Israel

It’s that time of year again! Jews everywhere have cleaned out their pantries and refrigerators and cooked up a storm for Pesach. As you might guess, the ‘concepts’ are the same no matter where in the world you celebrate: Clean out the chametz, have a Seder and tell the story of Pesach, eat a lot of special foods, eat even more of those special foods, drink 4 cups of wine, pour some for Elijah, celebrate with friends and family. However, there are some things that we’ve discovered that are unique to Israel during Pesach. IM is happy to share some of these with our readers! (more…)

Comments Off on Israel Matters! – April 2023
President's Message

March 2023: President’s Message

Purim has come and gone and, of course, we’re all in de Nile that Passover is just around the corner. I wrote last month that Purim is my favorite holiday, but it’s actually tied with Passover as my favorite holiday. You’re probably wondering why…and I can tell you it is not because of the gefilte fish and matzah. It’s because of the memories I have of my family’s Passover seders. (more…)

Comments Off on March 2023: President’s Message
Rabbi's Corner

Between You and Me

There is a tendency to bewail the fact that today’s children have no heroes. Or, if they do, their heroes are only the celebrities who have achieved notoriety rather than worthiness.

The coming of Passover reminds me that apparently Judaism does not believe in heroes. We see that Moses is not mentioned in the Haggadah. We also ought to note that while Judah the Maccabee, like Moses, delivered our people, and rescued us against enormous odds, Judah is similarly uncelebrated in Jewish literature. The Talmud makes no reference to him or to his remarkable defeat of the powerful Syrian-Greek Empire. (more…)

Comments Off on Between You and Me