HCRJ Web AdminMay 1, 2017
This month we are completing the formal programming of our 60th Anniversary as a congregation. While the first worship service actually took place on August 23, 1957 (which we will
Continue readingApril 26, 2017
Dear Friends, In this week’s Torah portion, Tazria-Metzorah, the Torah addresses a wide variety of skin diseases, providing us with a lens into an ancient world where sickness seemed incurable
Continue readingApril 19, 2017
Dear Friends, Jewish mourning practices are both private and public. Private mourning observances include rituals such as lighting a yahrzeit (memorial) candle or visiting the grave of a loved one
Continue readingApril 12, 2017
Dear Friends, For countless generations, the Passover Seder has provided us with an ongoing reminder of our responsibility to work for freedom and justice in the world. By retelling the
Continue readingApril 5, 2017
Dear Friends, Passover begins on Monday night, April 10, but Jews around the world begin preparing for Passover many weeks ahead of time. One way to prepare involves the custom
Continue readingApril 1, 2017
The Torah is written in a way that invites engagement. The porous nature of the ancient narratives and laws encourages debate as we seek to find meaning and direction in
Continue readingMarch 29, 2017
Dear Friends, Even if you cannot read Hebrew, you can see in the image above that one of the letters is much smaller than the rest. This small letter, which
Continue readingMarch 22, 2017
Dear Friends, This week, half of the office staff is off attending conferences learning new and exciting ideas to bring back to HCRJ. As Rabbi Gross attends the CCAR (Central
Continue readingMarch 15, 2017
Dear Friends, This week’s Torah portion contains the story of the Golden Calf. Through this ancient tale, important lessons concerning leadership are presented as we observe Moses responding to the
Continue readingMarch 8, 2017
Dear Friends, It is often said that, “We make plans, and God laughs.” This simple tidbit of wisdom is an ongoing reality for all of us and is central to
Continue readingRabbi Gross writes most of what is on this page, and says the rest of it on a Friday night. Everyone is welcome at a service, and you do not need to tell anyone you are coming.
