Rabbi Arthur Weiner

With all the fast moving developments in Washington, the Middle East, and in Israel, I wanted to make sure that the members of the congregation and community are aware of the recent passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA authorizes the Pentagon to spend money for a variety of critical military programs as well as establish critical national defense priorities. This year's NDAA again provides a tremendous benefit to Israel's national defense as well as a series of important joint US-Israel programs. It will authorize more than $627 million for critical programs, demonstrating bipartisan commitment to Israel's security needs as well as maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge ( QME ). The NDAA passed the House last week, the Senate yesterday and will soon be signed into law. Let's take a look at some of its more significant provisions. The NDAA contains $500 million for US-Israel missile defense collaboration on important d...

It wasn't the biggest story from the world of sports this week, (that would be the $765 million contract signed by Juan Soto with the New York Mets) but it was the one that dovetailed nicely with an important story at the beginning of this week's Torah reading of Parshat VaYishlach . Returning to the land of Israel after 20 years of exile in Haran, Jacob must now prepare for his reunion with his brother Esau. A generation earlier, Jacob conspired to steal the unique blessing that normally would have been given to Esau, the eldest of Isaac and Rebecca's sons. When Esau learned of this trickery, he vowed to kill Jacob. That's why Jacob literally left the country. And now, after 20 difficult yet prosperous years, Jacob must return to the land of Israel. How would his brother greet him? Jacob certainly has reason to worry. But when the fateful encounter takes place, there is no violence. While it is unlikely they spent much time together after this encounter, each of them...

Presidential pardons, a feature of presidential power outlined in Article ll of the Constitution, have a long and controversial history. Alexander Hamilton advocated for their importance and necessity in the Federalist Papers. Yet many who supported the ratification of the Constitution almost voted against it because of this unique power. Is a president able to undo the outcome of the judicial process? The answer is an unequivocal yes, when it comes to federal crimes, but lacks the power with regard to state crimes. He (or she) also lacks the power to pardon for impeachable offenses, and we may yet face a constitutional crisis in the next administration over whether this can be extended to a self pardon. What is also clear is that the president, other than these few qualifications, is free to pardon, commute, or reprieve without explanation or justification to Congress or the American people. Almost all presidential pardons are met with concern, skepticism, and controversy. George ...

As a general rule, I like to write about things that I know something about. But this Shabbat, I want to share some thoughts and ideas on a subject that I really don't know enough about. It's an important issue that has received a great deal of attention in recent years. It has become an issue in our schools, in our public spaces, in our nation's culture wars, and even became an issue in the campaign that was likely more significant than many people realized. The issue is the rights of transgender people. So many people have thoughts about this, and they feel compelled, entitled, and competent to render opinions on this subject. I don't. And it's not for lack of care or concern for the rights and dignity of the transgender community, or individuals who are struggling with their self-definition and gender identity. I believe strongly that there are complex, scientific, social, cultural and yes religious dimensions to this question. That's why I do not talk abou...

There's an old saying that a Rabbi gives but one sermon his entire career. I'm not sure I agree, but I understand why this saying exists. It's an understanding that while subjects and topics may change, certain ideas and values find themselves expressed on a regular basis. As I think about the thousands of sermons, bulletin articles, Shabbat messages and other communications over the course of my career, this is certainly rings true for me. And one of those values is the importance of reconciliation, of making up, of the need to fix important relationships that for whatever reason have gone awry. Throughout my career, I have seen tensions between parents and children, among sisters and brothers, and between dear friends lead to bitterness and estrangement. I have officiated at too many funerals, and attended too many shiva houses where the grief was compounded by failure to either seek forgiveness, extend forgiveness, or even attempt to talk and reconcile while there was st...

If you didn't get the reference to Harold and Kumar in the title, this Shabbat message may not work. But if you did get the reference, or are still willing to give it a shot, it will make sense in a few paragraphs from now. Like you, I have been following the reporting about the election results, and the reactions of different groups and organizations. The American people have made their choice, and in perhaps the greatest political comeback in our nation’s history, Donald Trump will be the 47th president of the United States. Some are elated, and others are devastated. Wall Street seems quite happy, our NATO allies decidedly less so. What will be is anyone's guess. As they say in the world of finance "past performance is not an indicator of future results." Considering our nation is still divided over President Trump's first term in office, I will leave an analysis of what the future might bring to others more qualified to speculate. What I will say is that giv...