by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 9, 2024 | Bamidbar, Lauren Shaps, Tisha B'Av, Weekly Parsha
Here we are. Over 300 days since the atrocities of October 7. 115 hostages still captive in Gaza, 41 confirmed murdered in Gaza. 116 living hostages rescued and 24 bodies recovered. Here we are in the midst of the 9 Days, on the cusp of Tisha B’Av, with Iran and their...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 2, 2024 | Mattos, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
You told him you’d go volunteer at the food bank together today, but you just don’t feel like going out anymore. Does it really matter if you just don’t show up? Just because you said it, doesn’t mean you have a real obligation to do it, right? Words are...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jul 26, 2024 | Pinchas, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
Parshat Pinchas brings us together with a story of female power. The story of the daughters of Zelophehad takes place in the desert at the time of Hashem’s commandment to Moshe to divide the land into inheritances for each household in Am Israel. Zelophehad,...
by Elisha Guberman | Jul 18, 2024 | Balak, Weekly Parsha
“Donkeys know nothing about Gazpacho” is my attempt to translate an old Arabic saying I learned from my first-year Yeshiva Rabbi. It illustrates a situation where someone or something is unable to comprehend higher knowledge, using donkeys humorously to...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jul 11, 2024 | Chukas, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Shlomo Carlebach used to tell the story of “Yosele the Miser” who was looked down upon by everyone in town because he was so stingy. The day after he died, people started showing up at the rabbi’s house asking for assistance. Each one told of how they would...
by Lauren Shaps | Jul 4, 2024 | Korach, Lauren Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Think about being pulled between two opposing sides. This happens everywhere, in families, groups of friends, shuls, schools, and the local and broader community. Two or more opinions is a recipe for divisiveness and discord. The natural response for most people is...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jun 27, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Shelach, Weekly Parsha
The world is a busy place. It seems that there is always something newsworthy being reported. Something people will be talking about. And the media (both social and professional) keeps us up to date on all of this by shouting it at us from every...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jun 21, 2024 | Bahalosecha, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
It is rare that you get a chance to make up for a lost opportunity. Especially when it comes to a Mitzvah with a specific time. If you didn’t hear Shofar on Rosh Hashanah, you can’t make it up by blowing Shofar the week after. Lighting Shabbos candles on Tuesday does...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jun 14, 2024 | Naso, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
We have just concluded the holiday of Shavuos, where we commemorated and celebrated the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai where the Jewish people stood as one to receive the Torah. As we transition quickly into Shabbos, we will read Parsha Naso which describes some...
by Rabbi Altonaga | May 31, 2024 | Bechukosai, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
How much can one person accomplish? Hollywood is filled with movies of one individual who saves the world through pure strength of will and heroics. This hero may have a supporting character or two (often primarily for comedic effect or to...
