June 22, 2016
June 22, 2016
Dear Friends, Sunday was Father’s Day, and I hope that everyone had a wonderful day celebrating fatherhood and the joys that come with it. I know I did. As a
Continue readingWeekly Reflections
June 15, 2016
June 15, 2016
On Monday morning, we awoke to the deadliest mass-shooting in US history. All week long, we have received responses (much like the one I am crafting now), all of which
Continue readingJune 8, 2016
June 8, 2016
Dear Friends, Two weeks ago, our congregation celebrated the transmission of Torah at our confirmation service, as 13 students (our largest class ever) affirmed their faith and their commitments to
Continue readingJune 1, 2016
June 1, 2016
Dear Melissa, This week’s Torah portion is concerned with the consequences connected to following God’s commandments. According to the Torah, those who faithfully follow the commandments will be rewarded, while
Continue readingMay 25, 2016
May 25, 2016
Dear Friends, The ceremony of Confirmation as a Jewish life-cycle event has its roots in Reform Judaism. The ritual of Confirmation was introduced in 1810 when the Reform Movement in
Continue readingMay 18, 2016
May 18, 2016
Dear Friends, Last week, the Jewish community celebrated the 68th anniversary of the establishment of the modern state of Israel. In this short period of time, Israel has become a
Continue readingMay 11, 2016
May 11, 2016
One of the greatest aspects of being part of a small congregation is the fact that every idea has merit and every voice has a say. At HCRJ, we take
Continue readingMay 4, 2016
May 4, 2016
Dear Friends, Tomorrow Jews around the world will observe, Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. This annual day of remembrance designates sacred time devoted to recalling the horrors of the past
Continue readingApril 27, 2016
April 27, 2016
Dear Friends, We all have memories that we hold near and dear to our hearts. Some may seem more significant than others, but all find their way into a grand
Continue readingApril 20, 2016
April 20, 2016
Dear Friends, This Friday night, Jews around the world will gather with family and friends at their Passover Seders and sing, Dayeinu. The word Dayeinu means “enough,” and the song
Continue readingRather hear it in person?
Rabbi 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.