Off the Bima at Temple Beth El with Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz, PhD

Worship & Religious Life

Off The Bima with Rabbi Katz

A Hanukkah "How-To"

15 December 2012

Blog - Off The Bima

Hanukkah is a festival of light, of miracles and of celebration. And like many of the Jewish holidays, it is celebrated primarily in our homes.

We have all heard the story of this eight-day festival, which commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Jews' victory over the Hellenist Syrians in 165 BeE. We remember the miracle of a tiny flask of oil that kept the Temple's great Menorah burning for not one, but eight days, until more purified oil could be obtained.

Here is a brief guide to the celebration of Hanukkah - a "how-to" manual that will help you bring the joy and meaning of the holiday into your own home.

Miracles for a Broken Planet

14 December 2012

Blog - Off The Bima

Happy Hanukkah to you and yours. I am including in this email a poignant story about Hanukkah written by the late Chaim Potok. I came across the story in a wonderful resource book A Different Light, edited by Noam Zion and Barbara Spectre. The message of this Hanukkah story is relevant to adults and children.

Miracles for a Broken Planet

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. It commemorates an ancient Jewish rebellion against oppression, during which the Temple in Jerusalem was miraculously recaptured from pagan hellenizers and rededicated to the worship of God. The candles of Hanukkah celebrate that re-dedication. They also help brighten the long winter nights.

Pray For The Peace Of Israel

15 November 2012

Blog - Off The Bima

I am forwarding you a note that a colleague of mine wrote. He is the rabbi of a Conservative shul in the south of Israel.

I hope that some time during the day you will take a moment and pray for peace in Israel. Our brothers and sisters need our prayers. I wish that there were other actions steps I could suggest.

Subject: War Diary - Letter 1 - Wednesday November 14

How to Vote 2012

09 November 2012

Blog - Off The Bima

Since today is election day I wanted to share the wisdom of my colleague Rabbi David Wolpe. Enjoy!

Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz

By Rabbi David Wolpe

Prioritize your values. Decide what matters most to you, and will matter most to those who will follow.

How does one make sense of Hurricane Sandy?

05 November 2012

Blog - Off The Bima

Throughout my bike ride I have been singing God's praises -- literally. I distract myself by singing to myself. Most of the time I sing songs from Hallel, the Friday evening service, and prayers that praise God for the magnificent world God has made for us. Today I realized that at the very moment I am singing, others are thinking about Hurricane Sandy. They are crying and asking, "Why did this happen?"

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