Rabbi Arthur Weiner

As the new Hebrew month of Av begins this Shabbat, a season of quiet communal sorrow starts this evening that continues through Tisha B’Av known as The Nine Days. This period is the culmination of what we call the Three Weeks, a season marked by remembrance and reverence.   The Talmud gently reminds us: When the month of Av begins, we diminish in joy . We don’t diminish joy out of despair, but to create space for reflection on the loss of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. I hope that this week’s Shabbat message helps you better understand this important time of the Jewish year. The Nine Days are not a retreat into gloom, but an invitation to lean into soul-searching and solidarity. Our sages teach that “those who mourn Jerusalem will one day rejoice in its rebuilding.” And in a breathtaking twist of hope, tradition suggests the Messiah is to be born on Tisha B’Av , the saddest day of the year.   This special season of the year teaches us that we must face br...

What a difference a week makes. Last week, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington, there was great optimism over the prospects of some type of formal agreement between Israel and the new government of Syria. Despite the jihadist and ISIS past of new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, both Israel and the Trump administration were working to both strengthen Syria's new government and forge a new era, removing a historically significant strategic threat from Israel's northern border. A stable Syria, cooperating with Israel, and improving ties with the United States would be a significant setback for Iran, and Russia. To help achieve these goals, the Trump administration recently dismantled American sanctions against Syria, despite significant misgivings over the new government and its actual control over Syrian territory. There was even talk of Syria joining the Abraham Accords. But that was last week. Earlier this week, fighting erupted between local...

This Sunday, we observe Shivah Assar B'Tammuz — the fast of the 17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz. While it is one of the minor fast days on the Jewish calendar, its spiritual and historical weight is deeply significant. It begins a three week period of mourning, introspection, and repair in the Jewish calendar, culminating in Tisha B’Av , the 9th of Av,   the saddest day of the Jewish year, when we remember the destruction of both the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. This year, the fast of Shivah Assar B’Tammuz will be observed from 4:26 AM to 8:58 PM. The Mishnah (Ta’anit 4:6) lists five tragic events that occurred on the 17 th of Tammuz: The breaking of the Tablets : Moses shattered the first set of Tablets upon witnessing the sin of the Golden Calf. The cessation of the daily Temple offering ( Tamid ): Due to Roman siege, the sacrificial service was halted. The breach of Jerusalem's walls : In the year 69 CE, after a prolonged Roman...

I pride myself on always writing a new message to the synagogue and greater community each Shabbat. I have done this for many years, sharing my own thoughts and ideas on subjects and matters of consequence to our synagogue, community, and the greater Jewish community. But this week I’m going to make an exception. This week, I am not sharing something that I’ve written, but rather an amazing article that someone else wrote.  If there is one article about Israel’s recent strikes against Iranian nuclear and ballistic missile facilities that you should read, it’s this one. This article is, without a doubt, the finest thing that I have read on the subject, explaining not only why Israel made the decision to strike, but also why the strike had to happen when it did. The article was written by David Horowitz, the editor in chief of the Times of Israel , among Israel’s most trusted English language news sources. I hope that you will find this article as interesting, compelling, and imp...

This Shabbat, as we read Parshat Korach , we joyfully mark a remarkable milestone: Rabbi Avram Kogen begins his 16th year of dedicated service to the Jewish Community Center of Paramus/Congregation Beth Tikvah. For 15 years, Rabbi Kogen has been the voice of Torah in our sanctuary, reading with distinction every Shabbat and holiday. Following the retirement of Cantor Sam Weiss two years ago, Rabbi Kogen took on additional responsibilities, including tutoring our Bar and Bat Mitzvah students. Yet his impact goes far beyond the bimah . He is a trusted advisor and friend to me and Cantor Krasner, a mentor to congregants of all ages, and a warm, welcoming presence at every Shabbat and holiday service. His deep knowledge of Jewish texts, his humility, and his unwavering love for our community continue to inspire us. Behind the scenes, Rabbi Kogen supports both me and our congregation through life’s sacred moments with compassion and care. Though modest in demeanor, Rabbi Kogen is a pil...

Throughout the spring, I worked to inspire interest and encourage your participation in the World Zionist Congress (WZC) election. The World Zionist Congress, an international body made up of Jews and Jewish organizations throughout the world, determines the priorities and policies of four significant organizations, the World Zionist Organization, the Jewish National Fund, the Jewish Agency for Israel and Jewish Federations of North America. This body is tasked with making key decisions regarding the allocation of over $1 billion each year supporting critical needs, projects and initiatives in Israel and throughout the diaspora.   The period for voting ended on May 4. Two weeks ago, the results of the elections were released. I want the community to understand them because they make a significant statement about Zionism in America. The American Zionist Movement (AZM), who conducted the elections in the United States, announced that an all-time record of 230,257 votes were ...