Thursday, March 26 Friends, First of all, an important public service announcement: As happens in times of crisis, unscrupulous people are taking advantage of the Coronavirus health crisis to run scams on unsuspecting people.  Please beware (and be aware!) of scams and scammers – DO NOT GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION … READ MORE

Dear Friends, A few check-in items…  Here’s what you’ll find in this letter: Coronavirus hygiene and social separation reminder Update on Shabbat and other services, and sayingkaddish Calling all members and other volunteer opportunities Online services, programming, classes, etc. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LENGTH OF THIS LETTER, BUT IT IS … READ MORE

Friends, The Coronavirus situation is evolving at such a speed that we are constantly reevaluating our response. As of this morning, we are making the following announcement: Starting today, and until further notice, EMJC’s doors will be CLOSED FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICES, SYNAGOGUE CLASSES, AND CULTURAL EVENTS. DO NOT COME TO … READ MORE

At the opening of this week’s parasha, God says, Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart so moves him (25:2).   God then lays out to Moses very detailed instructions regarding the building of the Mishkan / tabernacle and … READ MORE

And so the real work begins…  Having heard the Ten Utterances (the “Ten Commandments” that we read last Shabbat), having experienced the revelation at Sinai, having received the “first installment” of the Torah, one might think that it would be time to celebrate and to recover. But instead, the parasha … READ MORE

Current in the discussion around the World Zionist Congress, and indeed in Israeli religious politics in general, is the subject of Jewish identity: who’s in and who’s out?  Right now, the Israeli rabbinate has near-total control over issues of marriage, divorce, and conversion, among other things.  This week’s parasha/Torah portion … READ MORE