Dear Friends,

As Thanksgiving approaches, I want to take a moment to publicly express my gratitude for a few things that bless my life every day.

As a rabbi:
I am thankful that HCRJ is blessed with such an amazing staff in the office. Across every aspect of our synagogue, our staff holds a love of HCRJ and Judaism at the core of all they do. I am thankful for the boundless dedication of our membership and leadership. It is because of what each of you bring to this place that makes it so special.

I am grateful for the ability to serve a community that dreams with me.  Together we have envisioned many creative ways to meet our growing demands. It is also a blessing to be able to return to “in-person” worship and programming.

As a father:
I am thankful for the joys that come with raising four wonderful children, and I feel truly blessed to have all them all together this year for Thanksgiving.

As a husband:
I am blessed with an amazing partner in life. Beckye’s boundless support is sometimes overlooked, but I am thankful to my core for everything she does.

We all have so much for which to be thankful. As we prepare for this wonderful American Holiday, it is my hope that an abundance of good things in our lives will bless us all. 

Happy Thanksgiving,
Steve

Dear Friends,

In this week’s portion, Abraham sends Eliezar, his trusted servant, to find a wife for Isaac.  However, before he engages in the onerous task of finding Isaac’s bride, Eliezar turns to God for help and guidance.  With this simple act of faith, Eliezar (whose name means God is my help) opens our eyes to the idea that there is more to creating a good match between partners than mutual attraction and good chemistry.

Some refer to this heavenly connection by the Yiddish word, besherit, something that is destiny.  Others call may call it a “match made in heaven.”  Whatever the concept may be, through this story the Torah helps us see that a successful union is nothing short of divine in its unfolding.

Marriage is, in and of itself, an act of faith.  We have faith that our partners will remain with us despite our shortcomings.  We trust that we can share openly and honestly without being rejected or dismissed.  Marriage demands work and understanding, patience and cooperation, but most of all it demands maintaining a sense of trust.  Marriage is a sacred partnership, and through the devotion of one to the other, an element of God’s presence is realized.

On this Sabbath during which our Torah retells one of the world’s oldest love stories, let us spend some time considering all the things we admire and respect in our spouses and partners and reconnect to the sacred nature love.

L’Shalom,
Steve

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, Abraham seeks to save the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah from the wrath of God. Each of these cities have become so corrupt and evil that God wants to wipe them from the face of the earth, but as Abraham learns of their imminent destruction, he tries to bargain with God in an effort to save them. In a series of confrontational exchanges, Abraham pleads on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah.

This ancient story encourages us to stand up for justice and mercy in all circumstances. It urges us to question authority for the sake of goodness in the world.

In some ways, yesterday’s elections encouraged all Americans to be like Abraham. Through the process of voting, each of us had an opportunity to have a voice in the future on our cities, states, and nation. Like Abraham, we expressed ourselves with the hope that our efforts would have a positive impact on our people and our nation at large.

With our votes counted, and the results complete, it is up to us to move forward in the spirit of the hopes of Abraham and avoid slipping into the pitfalls of Sodom and Gomorrah. May we go from strength to strength.

L’Shalom,
Steve

Dear Friends,

I don’t know about y’all, but I have Astros on my mind, and here is how our beloved Astros are related to our Torah portion this week. . .

In the first passage of this week’s torah portion, God commands Abraham in the following way:  “Lech Lecha – Go Forth,”  and with faith and a vision for the future, Abraham paves a path that is beyond anything he could have imagined. Abraham’s bold and independent steps become central to an unfolding drama that remains a blessing to all humanity.

It may seem trivial but bold efforts are often central to the establishment of a strong sense of community. Whether it is a sense of religious community (like we share at HCRJ) or the collective pride we share in our beloved Astros, blessings become bountiful whenever we celebrate together.

Win or lose, we (the loyal followers of this talented team) feel blessed by how they have been able to galvanize Houston by providing us with a collective sense of pride and hope.  Whatever one’s religious affiliation maybe, the entire City of Houston has the words of torah on our lips this week.  “Lech Lecha – Go Forth” Astros!!!!

L’Shalom,
Steve

Dear Friends,

This Friday night, October 28, we will be holding our Annual Pink Ribbon Shabbat. At this special service, we will honor survivors and care takers, and we take time to remember those whose lives were taken by cancer.

If you have survived cancer of any kind, we hope you will be able to join us for a special blessing.

This year, our observance will include a special presentation by CanCare. Please consider joining us for this special service of memory and honor. A Pink Ribbon Oneg will follow our worship service.

L’Shalom,
Steve

Dear Friends,

Turn it and turn it again, as everything is in it. Reflect on it and grow old and gray with it. Don’t turn from it, for nothing is better than it. (Pirkei Avot 5:22)

Simchat Torah was observed on Monday and Tuesday in most Jewish communities around the world. At HCRJ, however, we will be observing this special day honoring Torah in our lives on Friday night.

Celebrate with us as we join forces with Congregation Shma Koleinu and Kosher Klezmer for an extradordinary evening for members of all ages. During this music filled celebration of Torah, we will unroll the entire scroll for all to see; we will tour the Torah from start to finish; and we will dance with the scrolls to the joyful sound of live klezmer music.

Services begin at 6:30pm. Klezmer concert will follow!

L’Shalom,
Steve

Dear Friends,

We are currently in the intermediary days of the Festival of Sukkot. Sukkot is our fall harvest festival – a time to express gratitude for all that is ours to embrace. By shaking the lulav and the etrog, we remind ourselves that God is all around us, and by dwelling in little huts, we connect with the glorify of creation, celebrate serendipity, and focus on family, friends and fellowship.

Sukkot is a time to celebrate life, so on this glorious autumn day, take a walk, spend time outside, enjoy your family and friends, and thank God for the blessings that abound.

Chag Sukkot Sameach — Happy Sukkot,
Steve

Dear Friends,

On Monday, we marked the first day of the Jewish calendar year, and together we committed ourselves to practicing an attitude of gratitude and renew a sense of daily awe in our lives. In my sermon, I assigned some homework for these Ten Days of Awe (the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).

Our task is to make a daily account of something for which we are grateful. This can take the form on a journal entry, a text, a prayer, or a letter. Whatever form we may choose to use, let us formally express our gratitude at least once a day.

I pray that this exercise in expressing gratitude will serve as a powerful catalyst in enabling us to appreciate the blessings that surround us every day. In this way, we can usher in a sweet and fulfilling 5783.

Shanah Tovah,
Steve

Dear Friends,

The Hebrew translation of the phrase, “I am sorry,” is selicha.  It is a concept that weighs heavy on our minds during this season.  As we begin to prepare ourselves for the High Holy Days, it is important to take time to consider the actions and behaviors of this past year for which we are sorry.

This process will officially begin on Friday night at a special service called Selichot (which means “apologies”).  Through special songs and meditations, we will formally mark the beginning of the penitential season.

Please join us this Friday night, September 23rd as we begin our spiritual preparations for this season.

Whether it is through a special worship service or through private moments of introspection, this is the time to begin to examine our behaviors and prepare for the Days of Awe. I pray that the ensuing weeks of personal reflection will be productive and cathartic for each of us.

Shanah Tovah,
Steve

Dear Friends,

In our Torah portion this week, Ki Tavo, we have an awesome array of blessings and curses. At this season, as we begin to reflect on our behaviors over the course of the past year, it is important to keep an open mind regarding what constitutes a blessing and what manifests itself as a curse, for sometimes the distinction between the two can be blurry.

In order to maximize our blessings and minimize our curses, it is helpful to keep an open mind and train ourselves to learn and grow from our mistakes. It is important to expand our abilities to see our losses as opportunities to grow and approach every task with sincerity, empathy, and honesty.

As human beings, we are bound to fail, but our failings need not curse us. This season invites us to identify blessing that emerge from our mistakes and encourages us to seek opportunities to extend ourselves to promote goodness, kindness and truth to the world around us. In this way, any curse that may seem to befall us can become a blessing in disguise.

L’Shalom,
Steve