Rabbi Arthur Weiner

I just finished watching President Biden's remarks on the ongoing demonstrations at dozens of American universities and colleges. While I appreciate the President's measured words condemning the antisemitism and lawlessness which have characterized so many of these protests, we didn't need him to tell us the obvious. We've got a full-blown crisis on our hands that shows no signs of stopping any time soon. I spoke about this issue at our recent Yizkor services. As many of the readers of my weekly Shabbat message know, the JCCP/CBT has a tradition that at our Yizkor observances on Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot, we make an appeal for a worthy and important Jewish organization or charity. At our Yizkor services for Passover earlier this week, I made an appeal for two organizations, Hillel and Stand With Us that are doing outstanding work with Jews on college campuses. This is especially important now as so many Jewish college students are feeling threatened and aban

The last day of Passover (Tuesday, April 30 2024) is one of the four times of the year when we recite the series of prayers called the Yizkor service . Yizkor  (Hebrew, literally "remember") is a collection of memorial prayers recited by those who have lost a parent or a loved one.  Yizkor  is recited on Yom Kippur, on the eighth day of Sukkot ( Shemini Atzeret ), on the last day of Passover, and on the second day of Shavuot. The earliest source for  Yizkor  is in the  Midrash Tanchuma ,  which cites the custom of remembering the departed on Yom Kippur and pledging charity on their behalf. The Ashkenazi custom of reciting  Yizkor  on the last day of the festivals began during the Crusades when massacres wiped out many Jewish communities. The central part of  Yizkor  is the paragraph beginning with the words  Yizkor Elohim  (may God remember). Our siddurim (prayer books) have individualized paragraphs to be recited for a deceased mother, father, male relative (includin

Each year, we send the Sale of Chametz forms for you to return to the synagogue. Here is the link to the synagogue website where you can download the form right now! The form will also be found in the annual Passover bulletin that is being mailed to the congregation today. On Sunday morning, we are also sending a Passover email filled with resources and religious services schedule. The Sale of Chametz form will be found there as well. In other words, we are encouraging you to sell your chametz .   Today, I want to make sure that everyone understands what this mitzvah is all about, why it is so important, and how it adds to our understanding and observance of Passover First, let’s start with a simple definition of chametz The Bible prohibits the eating of leaven during the festival of Passover (Exodus 12:15-20). The Hebrew word chametz is translated as leavened bread and refers to any food prepared from five species of grain–wheat, barley, oats, spelt, and rye–that has been

On March 19th, Israel began a multi-day attack on Shifa Hospital, one of the largest hospitals in the Gaza strip. As you might imagine, many observers quickly criticized Israel for this. After all, why would anyone attack a hospital? Why indeed. Since the war began on October 7th, Israel has been placed in the terrible position of fighting against a terrorist organization who’s very charter not only calls for the eradication of the state of Israel, but the murder of Jews as well. For the 17 years that Hamas has (for lack of a better term) ruled the Gaza strip, it has built a terrorist army with tens of thousands of fighters, constructed hundreds of miles of tunnels, deliberately choosing to build them under schools, hospitals, and even under the headquarters of various international organizations including United Nations facilities. It has siphoned off or outright stolen at least 60% of international aid that has flowed into Gaza. It has initiated five major conflicts with