Rabbi Arthur Weiner

This week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha , marks the true beginning of the Jewish story. God calls to Abram, “Lech lecha mei’artzecha u-mimolad’techa u-mi’beit avicha el ha’aretz asher ar’eka”   “Go forth from your land, your birthplace, and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) With those words, Abram begins the process of becoming Abraham, the first to take the moral risk of walking into the unknown. He leaves behind comfort and certainty, trusting that God’s promise will unfold through him. But the very next verses remind us that even the righteous are not spared hardship: “There was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt.” (12:10) Food insecurity, it seems, is as old as civilization itself. And from the beginning, the Torah has demanded that we respond to it with urgency and compassion. Abraham’s journey to Egypt foreshadows the moral journey of our people from famine to plenty, from slavery to freedom, from indifference to ...

  On the High Holidays, I spoke about the need to prioritize our particular Jewish communal needs and concerns for as long as necessary until we feel safe again. After nine years of increasing antisemitic rhetoric, threats and violence, and the explosion of anti-Zionism since October 7, 2023,   we must call out threats to our safety and welfare, even if that means risking partnerships with former friends and allies. This is a time for moral clarity. Every member of every synagogue in America should know exactly where their Rabbi stands when Jews and the State of Israel are under attack from so many.  That's why I am among 900 Rabbis from across the United States who recently signed the Rabbinic Call to Action sponsored by The Jewish Majority . which has brought critical attention to our shared commitment to defend Jewish identity, combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism, and perhaps most importantly, to reaffirm that the authentic, mainstream voices of American Jewry b...

This week, we joined with the people of Israel and Jews everywhere in profound joy and relief at the return of 20 living hostages to their families. The sight of loved ones reunited with their families filled our hearts with gratitude. I can’t imagine a better way to start the new year.   And yet, even in this moment of celebration, we recognize that the journey ahead for the released hostages and their families will be long and difficult. Healing from unimaginable violence and trauma takes time, care, resources, and the support of every corner of world Jewry. I want to challenge each member of the congregation and the greater community to participate in this effort to help the former hostages and their families.   The Yizkor observance on Shimini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot, our congregation turns memory into action by supporting vital causes in Israel and throughout the Jewish world. You have always responded generously.   This Yizkor, we have dedicated the Y...