by Rabbi Shaps | Sep 10, 2026 | High Holidays, Rabbi Zischa Shaps, Rosh Hashana
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we naturally think about new beginnings. Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on the past year, but even more importantly, it is a time to think about the year ahead. Rosh Hashanah is the Day of Judgment. We are not only judged for what we...
by Danielle Altonaga | Sep 3, 2026 | Danielle Altonaga, High Holidays, Rosh Hashana, Weekly Parsha
One spring day, when I was 9 years old, I was sitting at the table with my younger brother and his friend. Feeling wise and mature, I began to teach the 4-year-olds: Me: Hey guys, do you know what holiday is coming up? My brother: Um…I don’t know. Me: Could it...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Oct 10, 2025 | High Holidays, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
There is a custom to say “good kvittel” in this time period, specifically leading up to Hoshana Raba, the last day of Succos. A “kvittel” is a document. In this case, it refers to the document that was written about what your year will be like. We give a blessing that...
by Danielle Altonaga | Sep 18, 2025 | Danielle Altonaga, High Holidays, Rosh Hashana
I remember thinking, as a kid, that being an adult would be the BEST! I mean, ice cream whenever I felt like it? No official bedtime? How cool to be IN CHARGE of everything? Many of us love the idea of being in charge…so much so, that we forget that our power is...
by Yiska Guberman | Oct 11, 2024 | High Holidays, Yiska Guberman, Yom Kippur
Based on an Idea from Rav Eyal Vered The Gemara in Masechet Taanit (30b) says: “There were no happier days for Israel than Yom Kippur and the 15th of Av.” Yom Kippur is considered a day of celebration for the Jewish people, not only as a day of forgiveness...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Sep 22, 2023 | High Holidays, Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Yom Kippur
There is a Marvel superhero called Dr. Strange who tends to visit “parallel universes.” Some of these places are completely alien to us and the differences between them are vast. Yet, through his travels, it comes to light that many of those universes exist as they...
