Kol Ha Bayit (BST Blog)

Dear Friends,

It was an influential quote in my lifetime...I was a six year old child and it made a significant impression on me.  I often wonder if I have just heard about it, or whether I really remember the actual quote.  In any event, I want to share it with you.

John Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Why am I writing about that today?  In...Read more...

Thank you to all those contributed to our High Holy Days food drive.

Between the event held on September 13 when members picked up their prayer books, and October 4 when they returned them, we collected 969 pounds of food and $250.  When Sabina Weitzman delivered the donations the folks running the food bank told her that shelves are empty and they really needed the...Read more...

What is our congregation’s position on Black Lives Matter, the protests, the civil unrest,  and the politics surrounding it all? 

If you want the Union of Reform Judaism’s official statement, you can read it here:   https://urj.org/blog/2020/05/30/urj-statement-witnessing-protests-rage-and-our-torahs-unbending-demand-justice-0

One key sentence from that position: “Our country simply cannot achieve the...Read more...

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Let me pose some questions to you: do you shop through Amazon? Do you get gas or coffee at Wawa or Sheetz when your tank is low, or buy groceries at Giant or Weis? Do you prefer Walmart for some things and Target for others? Do you shop for clothes at Old Navy, or Kohl’s? Do you shop at stores like Lowe’s for all your home DIY projects, or go out to eat in Central Park with your family, or go to the movies with friends? Do...Read more...

Encountering Anti-Semitism is something many Jewish people are familiar with and it cannot be ignored. Speaking up when someone presents you or others with false information, or baseless attacks on your faith or Israel, should be something everyone can find the courage to do and knowing how to refute claims and draw strength from your faith is a necessary tool in any disagreement or...Read more...

Beth Sholom Temple has been around for over 80 years, and a lot of people have served on our Board of Directors. Almost all of them lacked the time, the experience, and the specific knowledge to feel entirely confident in this role, but all did it.

I know: as you read this you are thinking “There is no way I’ll ever serve on the board of directors.” In case you are having trouble articulating your reasons, here are four you can...Read more...