Blog

Dear friends members of the LJCC,

Thank you for your participation in this past Blintz Brunch. It was a wonderfully successful event that was only possible because of your hard work and support.

As you know, the coronavirus pandemic was hugely impactful for this the LJCC’s longest-standing and most beloved tradition. Over the last three...Read more...

In this Torah portion, Moses details many of God’s laws to the Israelites. These include laws about worshiping other gods, kashrut, business ethics and treatment of animals. God outlines the details of three holidays: Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. God provides an angel to protect the Israelites from their enemies and warns the Israelites not to worship other gods. Moses ascends...Read more...

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✷ to be read on January 31 ⎹ 13 Shevat ✷

In Beshalach (“When He Let Go”), God instructs the Israelites to camp at the Sea of Reeds. The Israelites must flee when Pharaoh changes course and sets after his former slaves. God splits the Red Sea and the Israelites sing upon crossing. God closes the waters over the Egyptians. With Miriam leading, the Israelite women sing and dance in celebration. The...Read more...

Dear AIR Supporters,

This has been a challenging year in refugee support. While our three families are doing as well as can be expected – all have good housing, jobs and kids are doing well in school – the changing environment in immigration regulations is certainly stressful for them all.  New regulatory policies are calling for a review and possible reinterview of all refugees who arrived between January 2021 and February...Read more...

✷ To be read on October 25⎮3 Cheshvan ✷

 In Noach ("Noah"), God deems humankind corrupt and decides to destroy the existing social world with a flood. God commands Noah to build an ark and to fill this ark with his family and select animals. When the 40 day and nights of rain come to an end, the world has been transformed into a sea. Noah sends a dove to determine that...Read more...

This holiday season, the Tikkun Olam Committee is raising money for two important organizations: Assistance for Immigrants & Refugees (AIR), a local organization, and HIAS, a national organization.

On Kol Nidre, co-chair Ari Linden gave the following speech. If you are considering donating to either of these worthwhile organizations,...Read more...

Hi everyone, I want to provide an update on the pears Lucy and myself harvested earlier from our LJCC pear tree. We've got a decent number of pears now and they're ready to be processed/cooked! Reach out to learn of a location for this activity.

Next Sunday, 9/14 at 9:30am Lucy and myself will be processing pears, potentially cooking them too. We want volunteers to help us. If you or anyone you know's interested, please let me know....Read more...

Drive for a Drive!
Note from member Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg

Hi everyone,

The LJCC is gearing up to raise funds to help purchase a car for a refugee family from Afghanistan. Hassan, Shakira, and their four children arrived here in November, thanks to Lawrence’s Assistance to...Read more...

Parashat Shemot/ פָּרָשַׁת שְׁמוֹתשְׁמוֹת
✷ To be read on January 18⎮18 Tevet ✷

In the beginning of the book of Exodus, a new Pharaoh rules Egypt. Out of fear of the strength of the Israelites, the Pharaoh enslaves them and goes so far as to command the midwives to slay the Israelite baby boys at birth. The mother of Moses saves...Read more...

✷to be read on 23 November / 22 Cheshvan ✷

The Torah Portion Chayei Sarah (“The Life of Sarah”) is bookended by two deaths: that of Sarah and that of Abraham. At the beginning of the parsha, Sarah dies and Abraham mourns her. He then sends his servant Eleazar out to find a wife for Isaac. Eleazar stops at a well and decides that the first woman who offers to get water for him and for his...Read more...

Lech Lecha (“Go Forth”) describes the journey of Abraham and Sarah from their homeland. The big moments: God makes a covenant with Abraham promising to make his descendants a great nation; Abraham has a son with Hagar and names him Ishmael; God promises that Sarah, too, will have a...Read more...

In Nitzavim (“Standing”), Moses addresses the Israelites, urging them to uphold the Covenant. He describes the process of repentance and stresses that God’s commandments are achievable and “not in the heavens.” In Vayeilech (“He Went”), Moses informs the people that he will not lead them into the Land of Israel. Moses blesses Joshua and instructs the...Read more...