A Thin Blue Line
01/16/2019 06:21:30 PM
By: Rabbi Steven Schwartz
The 1988 documentary film ‘The Thin Blue Line,' investigates the mistaken murder conviction of Randall Adams for the killing of police officer Robert Wood. The events of the film took place in Dallas, Texas, in the fall of 1976. The title of the movie is taken from a...Read more...
Rabbi's Reflections: A Shifting Ground
01/11/2019 08:36:04 PM
By: Rabbi Steven Schwartz
Almost right under your feet, and you may not even realize it. A recent New York Times Book Review issue dedicated its core article to the changing conditions and dynamics of America's Jewish Community.
God is in the Crowd, The Jewish American Paradox, The...Read more...
Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn
01/11/2019 08:03:35 PM
Beth El's Achshav Teens Travel to Israel for Capstone Experience
By:Brandon Chiat
Everyday, hundreds of flights touchdown at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport, carrying thousands of Jews from around the world who conclude their journeys to Israel in the same way: a rousing round of applause and...Read more...
Rabbi Schwartz's Winter Reading List
12/18/2018 06:10:35 PM
As the nights get longer and the days colder one might be tempted to spend time on the couch or in a favorite chair, sipping tea (or perhaps brandy, or whisky!*), and reading. Here are a few suggestions for winter reading as we usher out 2018 and welcome in a new year:
The Western Wind, by Samantha...Read more...
Embracing the Dual Faith Family
12/18/2018 05:50:20 PM
Two Interfaith Families Share Their Journeys at Beth El
By: David Harrison
When Robert Hiken's mother-in-law picks up the grandchildren â€" Seth, Gabriella and Parker â€" from the Berman-Lipavsky Religious school and the Pauline Mash School for Early Child Education, she...Read more...
How Can I Be Holy?
11/20/2018 04:44:55 PM
By: Brandon Chiat
Photo: Judi Snyder
Joe Napora was 86-years-old when he was called to the bimah as a bar mitzvah.
On that momentous day, Rabbi Schwartz joked that it was the first time he addressed a bar mitzvah boy with his wife, children, and grandchildren present.
Mr. Napora...Read more...
Caregiver Cafe: Handling the Holidays
11/09/2018 08:16:34 PM
The holidays can be a stressful time. But if you're caring for a loved one suffering from a new or long-term illness, the holidays can be downright disruptive.
At this month's Caregiver Care, Sarah Shapiro will facilitate a discussion about handling the holidays when a loved one is ill. She'll talk about...Read more...
Making Space for "The Other"
10/26/2018 07:47:02 PM
There once was a man named Hamsa who lived in the same community as another man named Bar Hamsa. A prominent man, also from their community was marrying off his daughter and it was the celebration of all celebrations. Everything for the wedding banquet was done with great extravagance â€" including the invitations which he...Read more...
Imperfections: Superman vs. Spiderman
10/26/2018 06:42:17 PM
By: Rabbi Steve Schwartz
There is a traditional debate about the very first verse of this morning's Torah portion, and at the heart of the debate is the question of the quality of Noah's character. The verse tells us × ×- ×יש ×ª×ž×™× ×"×™×" ×'×"ורותיו â€" Noah was righteous...Read more...
Head of the Class
10/26/2018 06:15:54 PM
Often, the work of a Jewish educator goes unsung. That is no longer the case for Dr. Eyal Bor, Beth El Congregation's Director of Education and Lifelong Learning.
On November 12, at an Academic Convocation in New York City, Dr. Bor will receive the degree of Doctor of Pedagogy,...Read more...