“In Five Minutes Flat:The Uniqueness of Jewish Humor”
01/12/2024 11:31:39 AM
Please by a show of hands let me know if you read my article yesterday, which wasn’t an article at all but a joke about the rabbi and the tv producer. If it isn’t one of the funniest you’ve ever heard, well, we have different perspectives on humor. But for the few who may have missed it, and for the sake of my words tonight, let me repeat it…
After services one Shabbat evening, Rabbi...Read more...
“Considering the World Around Us: What Would God Do?”
12/22/2023 11:26:50 AM
The rabbis of old tell us that God decided to leave the world imperfect. It would be our job, the job of mortals, to perfect it. To that I say, “Good going, God, imperfect it is!” And I might also say, “God, you overestimated our ability – or our will – to fix the mess!” And so I, and perhaps you as well, might ask of God, “Far be it from me, a humble rabbi to ask, but looking at the world around us, what would You...Read more...
“Israel and Hamas: The Bottom Line”
11/17/2023 02:52:55 PM
Rabbi Lawrence Kotok, a classmate of mine sent this letter to the New York Times shortly after the October 7th tragedy….
Is Israel the only country that is not allowed to defend itself? After the brutal attack by Hamas the world was shocked by the savagery and violence seen by all. But as Israel began to protect its citizens and sovereignty opinions shifted to blaming Israel for reacting. Now the world...Read more...
“Things That Drive Me Nuts: Jewish and Otherwise”
11/12/2023 11:40:47 AM
Certain words and phrases bother me. I once wrote in another publication that “reach out” has, in my humble opinion, a specific meaning, namely, to offer help. Today we don’t call, text, email, visit, rather we “reach out” to everyone and everything. Hooey!
“No worries” and “No problem,” two phrases that make me particularly crazy. When someone says, “Thank you,” replying with those...Read more...
“What Did You Learn in School Today?: One Half of the Whole Question”
11/10/2023 11:45:43 AM
Last Sunday I asked the kids in our religious school, “What did you learn in school last week?” I started with the subject we discussed in our fifteen minute session with parents. I was surprised…and very happy…that some of them were pretty specific with their answers. Let’s experiment.
(To the students present in the congregation: “Do you remember what it was? We spoke about tzedakah. What does...Read more...
“Thoughts on the Israel-Hamas War: The Fronts Abroad and the Fronts at Home”
10/27/2023 08:08:02 PM
“Thoughts on the Israel-Hamas War: The Fronts Abroad and the Fronts at Home” Peter H. Grumbacher, Interim Rabbi Temple Beth El – Newark, Delaware October 27, 2023 ______________ Yes, we had a wonderful time on our cruise, and I’m not going to present a travelogue on our experiences. Too much happened between the last time on stood on this bimah and tonight. I regret not having been here when you probably need a rabbi the most, but I...Read more...
“Sometimes We Need to Chuckle… And If Not Now, When?”
10/27/2023 11:37:34 AM
I know the situation in Israel remains critical and I pray that peace and normalization will soon be at hand. And while most rabbis will not allow themselves to entertain a bit of humor at this time – and I admit, I might be wrong in doing so – I will do so anyway. If you think it came from Borscht Belt comedians, you’re probably right. That’s because while most of the jokes today aren’t exactly “K” rated,...Read more...
“Strengthening the Democratic Experiment”
10/12/2023 05:05:15 PM
“Strengthening the Democratic Experiment” Solidarity with Israel Shabbat Shemini Atzeret Shabbat October 6, 2023 Peter H. Grumbacher – Interim Rabbi Temple Beth El – Newark, Delaware ________________ This Shabbat is also Shemini Atzeret, the poor sibling of Simchat Torah. The Levitical description tells us that the first and last days of Succot are holy, Shemini Atzeret being this last day, Simchat Torah tomorrow eve and Sunday. On...Read more...
“Imitating Life Itself: The Brilliance of the Succah”
09/30/2023 07:08:23 PM
“Imitating Life Itself: The Brilliance of the Succah” Succot/Shabbat - September 30, 2023 Peter H. Grumbacher – Interim Rabbi Temple Beth El – Newark, Delaware ______________________ At Beth Emeth we had one of the most beautiful Succot decorated with palm leaves and fruit, highlighted with the cutouts created by our religious school students. For a bit of color we added cranberries. More about that in a moment. The problem with our...Read more...
“There’s No Use Hidin’ It”
09/25/2023 07:13:25 PM
“There’s No Use Hidin’ It” Peter H. Grumbacher – Interim Rabbi Temple Beth El – Newark, Delaware Yom Kippur 5784 – September 25, 2023 ____________________ For those of you who’ve seen the movie Golda, you probably know that Helen Mirren sat for three hours every day to have the prostheses and makeup transform her into Golda Meir. And what a job they did! You’d never know it was Helen Mirren. On a smaller scale for sure, with...Read more...
Sat, July 27 2024
21 Tammuz 5784
2020-2021
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