When coming up with a list of countries to “visit” this Sukkot as part of our “around the world” Sukkot experience, we knew we had to put Syria into the mix, given all the current events there – and knowing … Read the rest
Tonight we’re doing Chinese in the Sukkah, on the 2nd night of Sukkot, 5774. I’d like to take this opportunity to share with you how Shanghai China was an escape and haven for my grandfather R’ Moshe Rubin and Raizy’s … Read the rest
This year we did an “around the world” theme for the first four meals of Sukkot. Our second stop (for lunch on the first day on YomTov) was Israel. We asked everyone present to share a short memory of Israel. … Read the rest
This year, for the first time ever, UAlbany has it’s own Marching Band, which debuts in the new Bob Ford Field Football Stadium, in their first game opener tonight. Jeff asked if we would be OK to come to Neilah … Read the rest
How can we go through all of Yom-Kippur without an appeal? No self-respecting synagogue would do that! We don’t want anyone to feel they’re not getting their monies worth at our High Holiday Services, so now as we stand at … Read the rest
I’ve told this story years ago, back in the days of the old Shabbos House, and before Great Dane Drive was named, but the heavy rains and flooding on Thursday reminded me of this story – and it’s meaningful message.… Read the rest
It so happens that I’ve had this Lego block at my place for most of this Yom-Kippur. It’s one of the effects of having High Holiday services in a home where children play around a lot. As we read the … Read the rest
Yes, I got that header right. The Fiddler song is “Sunrise, Sunset” but the famous poem on Yom-Kippur eve titled “Yaaleh” is “Sunset, Sunrise, Evening” because it captures the 25 hours of Yom-Kippur, which like all Jewish calendar days begins … Read the rest
Just before the start of Yom-Kippur, an alumnus posted this meaningful memory on his Facebook Wall. I in turn shared it on my FB wall, and wanted to share it on Yom-Kippur as well, because it is a unique insight … Read the rest
