Guide to Purim
03/13/2019 05:27:37 PM
By: Ben Kreshtool, Ritual Director
Celebrated on the 14th of Adar, Purim is a joyous holiday on which we recount the saving of the Jews from a looming massacre organized by the wicked Haman during the Persian period (539-330 BCE).
What is the history of Purim?
The Book of...Read more...
Giving the Gift of Music
03/08/2019 05:35:46 PM
By: Brandon Chiat, Digital Media Manager
If music is the universal language than Beth El speaks it fluently.
Beth El recently received a generous gift from an anonymous donor to establish the First Wednesdays Concerts & Cultural Programs Fund, which will support...Read more...
Achshav Students Reflect on Their Trip to Israel
03/01/2019 06:38:14 PM
The Masked Singers of Shushan
03/01/2019 02:55:54 PM
By: Brandon Chiat, Digital Media Manager
Purim is a holiday wrapped in a disguise and concealed behind a mask.
“Everything gets flipped upside down in the Purim story,” said Rabbi Steve Schwartz. “King Achashverosh, who should be wise, is a fool; Esther is...Read more...
Head Coverings and Harmful Words
02/19/2019 06:05:34 PM
By: Rabbi Steve Schwartz
The following is a text version of Rabbi Schwartz's Shabbat sermon from February 17th, 2019.
It has been quite a week for Ilhan Omar, the freshman congresswoman from the state of Minnesota.
The 37-year-old has a compelling...Read more...
There Is Always Hope: Reducing the Stigma and Isolation of Addiction
02/08/2019 07:26:57 PM
By: Brandon Chiat, Digital Media Manager
America is in the throes of a prescription opiate and heroin addiction epidemic and the Baltimore Jewish community has not been spared.
“The undertaker in any community is the canary in the coal mine,” said Mr. Howard Reznick, Senior Manager...Read more...
6 Jewish Connections to Super Bowl LIII
02/01/2019 08:48:59 PM
32 teams set-out to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the beginning of the 2018 season. Now only two teams remain the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams. Tonight, one of those teams will etch their names in football history.
While our beloved Baltimore Ravens aren't playing in tonight's Big Game,...Read more...
God's Ears
01/28/2019 06:07:15 PM
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By: Rabbi Steve Schwartz
Funny what people remember, what catches their attention. It was virtually a throwaway line in a Friday night sermonette. I was talking about the importance of having faith in prayer. My point was that faith in prayer and faith in God are not the same thing. Faith in prayer, at...Read more...
Wonder of Wonders
01/23/2019 06:17:49 PM
The following is an excerpt of Rabbi Schwartz's Shabbat sermon from January 19th, 2019.
For many of us of a certain age, reading this morning's Torah portion brings to mind the following image. Charlton Heston stands on a precipice overlooking the churning waters of a vast sea. With long white hair...Read more...
Beth El's Guide to Tu B'Shevat
01/18/2019 05:26:13 PM
By: Ben Kreshtool, Ritual Director
Tu B'Shevat is commonly thought of as the “Birthday of the Trees” or the “Jewish Earth Day.” The festival derives its name from the Hebrew calendar date on which we celebrate: “Tu” is a pronunciation of the Hebrew letters for the number 15, and it falls in the...Read more...