by Rabbi Altonaga | Aug 24, 2023 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
“Aba (Dad),” my son asked me, “how will I become an aba?” The question has many forms, but any one brings sweat to the brow of parents everywhere. Fortunately for me, my mother had just gotten me the book “Stuff Every Dad Should Know.” The book helpfully...
by Danielle Altonaga | Aug 18, 2023 | Danielle Altonaga, Rosh Hashana
This learning is in the merit of Eliyahu Shmuel ben Tzipporah for a refuah shlema Tomorrow: Noun. “A mystical land where 99% of all human productivity, motivation and achievement is stored”. Think about it. How often do you procrastinate? You’re tired, you’re busy,...
by Rabbi Gotlib | Aug 14, 2023 | Rabbi Gotlib, Weekly Parsha
This week’s parshah open with a short, but powerful powerful verse: “רְאֵ֗ה אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם בְּרָכָ֖ה וּקְלָלָֽה׃” “See, this day I set before you blessing and curse:” Deuteronomy 11:26 One listening to the parshah being...
by Rabbi Shaps | Aug 3, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
We are all familiar with the old adage. If you want to get to the next level, you have to work hard for it and even experience a little pain in order to make progress. Moshe tells the people that “Hashem fed you Manna in the desert in order to afflict you and to test...
by Danielle Altonaga | Jul 21, 2023 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
“I just love being criticized”. Not a phrase you hear often… Yet, of course, we do need to hear criticism sometimes, in order to move forward and grow. In this week’s Parsha, Moshe reviews the Torah with the Jewish people, and reprimands them for their...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jul 14, 2023 | 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 Shaps | Jul 6, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Have you ever wanted something very badly? I mean something good of course. You really want it but are not sure if you are entitled to it or how to go about acquiring it. You research and investigate and eventually find the information you need. Armed with the proper...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jun 23, 2023 | Korach, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
In this week’s Torah portion, Korach leads a rebellion. Although, in truth, Korach’s goal is power and prestige, he veils it within philosophical arguments and appeals to justice. He creates an argument that echoes throughout the camp and brings many...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jun 16, 2023 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
I started keeping kosher over a decade ago. I remember the strange sensation of feeling both proud and self-conscious at the same time… I knew I was making the right decision, yet I felt awkward about explaining to friends that I needed kosher food, or that certain...
by Rabbi Shaps | Jun 8, 2023 | Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Weekly Parsha
Everyone is an expert. Especially in today’s world with Google available to tell us anything we need to know. I always found it fascinating how parents are experts on teaching even though they never took a course in teaching. In a similar way, we are all medical...
