Rabbi Arthur Weiner

  This Sunday, June 27, 2021, is the observance  of Shivah Assar B'Tammuz (17th day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz) . It is one of the minor fast days of the Jewish year. On  Shiva Assar B'Tammuz , we commemorate an important event in Jewish history. In the year 69 CE, after a lengthy siege, the walls of Jerusalem were breached by the Romans, leading to the destruction of the Second Temple several weeks later. This day also marks the beginning of a three-week period leading to the observance of  Tisha B'Av , the 9th of Av, the day we remember the destruction of both the First and Second Temples. The 9 th  of Av is considered to be the saddest day of the Jewish Year. The Fast on Shivah Asar B'Tammuz is observed from early Sunday morning beginning at 4:14 AM until 9:07 PM. A fast day is not only a sad day, but a day of opportunity. We refrain from food from early morning until nightfall to better reflect on the sad events that this...

  Yesterday morning, the Supreme Court announced its decision in Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia , a case with significant ramifications for religious life in America. I believe this is one of the most important cases regarding religious rights and freedoms in years. And once again, the Supreme Court got it right. The issue in the case was again the clash between our society's need to root out discrimination in all of its forms, and freedom of religion and expression in all of its forms. As a religious minority which has relied on the benefits of religious freedom AND laws that prevent discrimination, the Jewish community has much at stake in this decision and others like it.   Our security and freedoms are, in large measure, tied to each of these values.   Which value, however will take precedence when society must choose between them? Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia involved a local Catholic social services agency which had a contract to facilitate vetting for...

This Shabbat, Parshat Korach, marks the beginning of Rabbi Avram Kogen’s 12th year of service to the Jewish Community Center of Paramus/Congregation Beth Tikvah. I want to take this opportunity to thank him for his many contributions to the religious life of our congregation. For 11 years he has served as our Torah reader on Shabbat and holidays. Yet in actuality, he does so much more. He leads and officiates our religious services. For several years he has served us as a High Holiday Chazzan. He has taught adult education classes. He is a teacher and a mentor within our community who has bonded with so many of our members and regularly inspires us with his encyclopedic knowledge of Jewish texts, his warm and caring personality, and his great understanding of the needs of our membership. We are grateful for the vital role he assumes at the JCCP/CBT. Unfortunately, we will not be able to celebrate this anniversary in the synagogue this Shabbat in the way that Rabbi Kogen deserves, as w...

  This week, I want to offer a special tribute to Lotte Buff, one of our remaining charter and founding members, as she celebrates her 100 th birthday. Lotte, along with her beloved husband Fred (of blessed memory) were true Jewish pioneers in Paramus.   Along with several other families, they saw the need to build a synagogue in this community, and their hard work, organizing efforts, and vision led to the Jewish Community Center of Paramus being chartered in 1952. For almost 7 decades, Lotte has been a leading personality within our synagogue family and community.   Lotte Buff and the entire Buff family will always be synonymous with tremendous devotion to the JCCP/CBT. There is literally no aspect no the JCCP/CBT that does not reflect their influence, and commitment. For decades, Lotte was an active member of our Board of Education, and served as president of our APT, (Association of Parents and Teachers) She was a long-time member of our Board of Trustees S...