February 2022 | Shevat / Adar 5782

Dear B’nai Shalom members, friends, and families: Even as we brave the cold temperatures and do our best to tolerate what a typical Chicago winter brings us, we continue to learn, study, and engage ourselves in the pursuit and love of Torah. I share the following...

January 2022 | Tevet / Shevat 5782

Dear B’nai Shalom members, families, and friends: Robin and I hope everyone is staying well, healthy and safe. For those who are NOT feeling well or doing as well as they need to be, we wish you a refuah sh’layma – a quick and complete recovery. Throughout the COVID...

December 2021 | Kislev / Tevet 5782

Dear B’nai Shalom members, friends, and families: Coming up soon on the 10th of Tevet is the Fast of Asarah B’Tevet, one of the lesser-known, less completely understood fast days on our Jewish calendar. As with most of our fast days, the name of the fast:...

November 2021 | Kislev 5782

Dear B’nai Shalom members, families, and friends: I believe it is worth reviewing and examining the single-most recited prayer in our daily liturgy line-up, the prayer by which a prayer service is even defined. I am referring to the Amidah, the “standing...

October 2021 | Tishrei/Cheshvan 5782

Dear B’nai Shalom members, families, and friends: Having now completed the entire cycle of the “September”-Tishrei holidays, we have the longest “drought” and empty space on our Jewish calendar until the next time we come to a once-a-year...