by Danielle Altonaga | Jan 30, 2025 | Danielle Altonaga, Weekly Parsha
I’ve always held warm memories of my childhood Passover Seders. My family would drive to New York before the holiday, and grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins gathered at a big table. My Bubby’s homemade matzah balls, lots of singing and laughter, and that sense...
by Yiska Guberman | Jan 23, 2025 | Vayera, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
The journey toward geula (redemption) has always been filled with challenges, complexities, and moments of doubt. This reality is powerfully illustrated in the transition between Parshat Shemot and Parshat Va’era, where we see the tension between human...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Jan 16, 2025 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Shemos, Uncategorized, Weekly Parsha
I remember when I first started wearing a kipa/yarmulke. I had started getting more into Judaism before that, but still it was a big step. When I decided to stop eating pork, that was a mitzvah between me and G-d. It could be that no one else would...
by Yiska Guberman | Dec 19, 2024 | Vayeishev, Weekly Parsha, Yiska Guberman
Parashat Vayeishev begins with the words: “And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojournings, in the land of Canaan” (Genesis 37:1). After years of wandering, hardships, and trials, Jacob sought to finally rest and live in peace. However,...
by Rabbi Altonaga | Dec 12, 2024 | Rabbi Michael Altonaga, Vayishlach, Weekly Parsha
Yakov was afraid1. On a surface level, this is simple to understand. In this week’s Torah portion (Vayishalach), Yakov hears that his vengeful brother Eisav is approaching him with 400 armed men. Yakov’s camp of women and children should be doomed. Yet, Yakov...
by Elisha Guberman | Dec 5, 2024 | Elisha Guberman, Vayeitzei, Weekly Parsha
The word that is mentioned maybe more than any other in this Parsha is Sheep. Sheep symbolize livelihood and blessing, as Yaakov begins his journey penniless but, through his diligence and reliance on God, transforms Lavan’s meager flocks into a source of immense...
