by Rabbi Altonaga | Apr 16, 2026 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Tazria-Metzora, Weekly Parsha
This week’s Torah portion (Tazria-Metzora) gives us the mitzvah of circumcision and tells us that it should be done on the eighth day after a boy is born. We saw the idea of the eighth day being significant recently at our Passover Seders. Towards the end of the...
by Shmuel Klein | Apr 10, 2026 | Rabbi Shmuel Klein, Shemini, Weekly Parsha
Passover is one of the most inspiring times of the year. We sit at the Seder, speak about freedom, growth, miracles…and for a moment, everything feels possible. But then Passover ends.We go back to regular life. Work. Routine. Distractions. And the question...
by Rabbi Shaps | Apr 6, 2026 | Pesach, Rabbi Zischa Shaps
As we approach the final days of Pesach, we have an opportunity to pause and reflect on the enduring lessons of the holiday. At the Seder, we retold the story of the Exodus, recreating the experience for ourselves and our children. We ate Matzoh and Maror, recalling...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Mar 31, 2026 | Pesach, Rabbi Michael Altonaga
At the beginning of Passover, we tell our children: בַּעֲב֣וּר זֶ֗ה עָשָׂ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ לִ֔י בְּצֵאתִ֖י מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃ Because of this, Hashem did for me and took me out of Egypt. Exodus 13:8 The simple meaning is as an explanation for the Seder. Hashem took us out...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Mar 26, 2026 | Pesach, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Shabbos
This Shabbos is Shabbos HaGadol. The Big Shabbos. The Shabbos before Pesach. Many families have already “turned over” their homes to be completely clean for the holiday. Some people have been working tirelessly all week vacuuming, scrubbing, and...
by Shmuel Klein | Mar 19, 2026 | Pesach, Rabbi Shmuel Klein
Freedom is one of the most cherished ideas in human life. We all want the ability to make our own choices, to live on our own terms, and not feel controlled by others or by circumstances. But what does “freedom” really mean? In the Torah’s perspective, one of the most...
by Rabbi Shaps | Mar 12, 2026 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Vayakel, Weekly Parsha
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” This famous quote, attributed to Jamaican political activist Marcus Garvey, underscores a fundamental truth: you cannot know who you truly are without...
by Danielle Altonaga | Mar 6, 2026 | Danielle Altonaga, Ki Sisa, Weekly Parsha
Have you ever been truly inspired by something? Perhaps a personal miracle, an amazing event, or a profound lesson? You felt moved. You felt uplifted. You vowed to make a big change. Not to be a downer, but…did the change last? Or did the inspiration eventually...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Feb 27, 2026 | Purim, Rabbi Michael Altonaga
This Monday evening, we begin the holiday of Purim. That night, we read the Megillah of Esther. The story of Purim. This gives us a picture of the historical realities of the time and a greater understanding of why we celebrate the holiday. The...
by Shmuel Klein | Feb 19, 2026 | Rabbi Shmuel Klein, Terumah, Weekly Parsha
This week Hashem says: “וְעָשׂוּ לִי מִקְדָּשׁ — Make for Me a sanctuary,וְשָׁכַנְתִּי בְּתוֹכָם — and I will dwell among them.” It doesn’t say that Hashem will dwell “in it (the sanctuary)” — but “among them.” The Mishkan (Tabernacle) wasn’t just about building a...
