A Modern Bikurim Statement – To Thrive Not Just Survive!
Divrei Emmanuel Words of Torah in honor of Parashat Ki Tavo 5774 “The Mitzvah of Jewish Sovereignty over Israel” “When you enter into the land which God your God is giving you as an inheritance, you...
View ArticleBar Mitzvah Year 9/11 – Thoughts of a Police Chaplain
As Chaplain and therefore a member of the Yonkers New York Police Department, my thoughts are heavy and filled with emotion when remembering the events of the vicious 9/11 attacks on our country — 13...
View ArticleJewish Women Soldiers & Chanukah
The Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) specifies that while the Chanukiah (Menorah for Chanukah) is lit it is forbidden to engage in work that would distract a person from concentrating on the light...
View ArticleA Cuban rabbi’s bittersweet ‘welcome home’
Every Shabbat for more than five years my congregation at the Lincoln Park Jewish Center of Yonkers has joined me in prayer for the release of Alan Gross. We are pleased to be able to wish him a Happy...
View ArticleJosé Wants to Talk to You
Modern Day Anusim and Joseph the Tzaddik In this week’s parsha Joseph’s brothers come into Egypt looking for food and appear before their own brother Joseph whom they do not recognize. They mistook him...
View ArticleOne Law for All of Us – Convert or Born Jewish
“One Law –The Kohen shall atone for the erring person when he sins unintentionally before Hashem to atone for him and it shall be forgiven him. The native born among the children of Israel and the...
View ArticleParashat Pinchas to the Rebbes: To avoid chaos, leave a successor
The Blessed Transmission of Leadership From Moses to Joshua Jewish leaders must transcend themselves by grooming and empowering new leaders for the next generation. We see this in the transfer of power...
View ArticleThe Harlotry of Religion and the Lessons of Tisha B’Av
The Vision of Isaiah: “How she has become a harlot, a faithful city full of justice, in which righteousness would lodge but now murderers! Your silver has become dross your wine diluted with water....
View ArticleShavuoth and the Rainbow Flag
Memorial services for the 49 innocent men and women killed in the terrorist attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on June 12, 2016, have been taking place throughout the United States. At most...
View ArticleJuban Sefardic Tisha B’Av Memories
Being a Cuban Sefardic rabbi is never easy. It’s a blessing but it isn’t easy! It’s even harder for me this year as we commemorate the sad holiday of Tisha(ng) B’Av this 26 & 27 of July, 2023. The...
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