Dear Friends,

We all possess time, talent, and treasure; we all have something to give; and we all have the capacity to love.  Philanthropy (love of humanity) is a mindset that encourages us to consider how to respond to the needs of the world, and Mitzvah Day is a perfect opportunity for us to translate this mindset into action.

Mitzvah Day represents an annual opportunity to volunteer and do good works. It is also an opportunity to build a “culture of philanthropy through service” in the congregation. Through Mitzvah Day, we strive to build a community around doing good in the world, while exposing our membership to the various needs around the City of Houston.  In other words, we are not just offering an annual day of charity work. We are also trying to create a shift in communal awareness.

Join us this Sunday, January 8 for our Sixteenth Annual Mitzvah Day.
Join us from 9:00 – 12:30 as we strive to build community through service.
Join us and make a difference in the lives of many.
Join us as we strive to transform the world around us, one mitzvah at a time.

L’Shalom,
Steve

Dear Friends,

As 2023 begins,
may it unfold a
never-ending chain
of blessings of
Prosperity, Health and Happiness
For you and your family.

Happy New Year.

Steve

Dear Friends,

We encounter scores of people every day. Some of them we meet only with a glance, while other may be part of a brief conversation. These people are nameless and seemingly inconsequential, and yet – from time to time – these encounters turn out to be game changers in the stories of our lives.

This is certainly the case in our Torah portion this week as we are introduced to one of the most forgettable characters in the entire bible. As we pick up the story, Joseph has set out to find his brothers who are herding sheep. On his quest to find them, Joseph seeks assistance from a complete stranger. This nameless character directs Joseph to the grazing grounds in Dothan.

In reading this very brief interaction between Joseph and the stranger, most of us would make nothing of it, and yet, this seemingly inconsequential conversation ultimately becomes a turning point in the course of Jewish history. This nameless man in the fields is never identified, never described and never heard from again in the entire Torah. Yet, this instantaneous, random encounter sets in motion the fateful story of Joseph’s descent into slavery and rise to power.

Were it not for this chance encounter, Joseph would not have found his brothers; he would not have been sold into slavery; he would not have become a redemptive force in the unfolding story of his family and ultimately the Jewish people.

So too it is with us. Chance encounters happen all the time, and periodically they have an impact on our lives. Perhaps someone is kind to us in a time of need; perhaps we received a random financial tip which turns out to be lucrative; or perhaps someone stood up for us when we were being mistreated.

Whatever the case may be, nameless people come and go all the time, and yet, most of us pay little heed to their presence. It is here, in the realm of serendipity that this nameless soul in the story of Joseph reminds us to open our eyes to value and meaning of chance encounters. It reminds us to be kind to everyone, for they just may end up changing our lives.

L’Shalom,
Steve

Dear Friends,

Sometimes when you are in a dark place, it can feel like you have been buried – when actually you have been planted.

This quote hangs above my desk, and it helps me remember that sometimes our darkest moments become seedlings for renewal. This is certainly the case with Jacob in this week’s Torah portion, who emerges from one of the darkest moments in his life as a changed man.

In Genesis 32, Jacob faces what he believes is an existential threat to his life as he prepared to confront his brother, Esau. Years have passed since he stole Esau’s birthright, and now as he prepares for a reunion, Jacob is consumed by angst. This reunion could potentially heal their lifelong dispute or be an encounter that threatens his very life.

It is in the context of this uncertainty, that Jacob wrestles through the night with an angel of God. When the struggle is over, Jacob emerges with a new name and a new purpose. Jacob becomes Israel, and his struggle becomes a blessing. This encounter serves to remind us that:

Sometimes when you are in a dark place, it can feel like you have been buried – when actually you have been planted.

L’Shalom,
Steve

Dear Friends,

In this week’s Torah portion, Vayetzei, Jacob as he sleeps in the wilderness on a pile of stones. He dreams of a ladder with angels climbing up and down, and when Jacob wakes up, he has an epiphany that God is everywhere, even in places that we least expect it.

Through this simple moment in Jacob’s journey, the Torah encourages us to see and understand the world in terms of holiness.  Everything we do, everything we create, and everything we experience has the potential to reflect holiness and Godliness, and Jacob’s dream helps us recognize that God’s presence is often revealed in our most challenging moments.

In times illness, in times of loss, in times of fear and uncertainty, it is common to feel alone and, even, abandon. At such times, we can feel as if we are lost in a wilderness that is extremely challenging to navigate. At such times, Jacob’s encounter with God in the wilderness can provide us with a sense of hope and inspiration. It serves to remind us that God is in all of these places too – we just may not know it.

L’Shalom,
Steve

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