By Rabbi Levi Simon, Chabad of Greater Dayton There is a captivating story in the Talmud that illuminates the extent to which Judaism values, loves, and is tolerant of all people — and teaches us to do the same. There was once a gentile who wished to convert to Judaism

By Rabbi Judy Chessin, Temple Beth Or On June 14, 1777, our Stars and Stripes became the first national flag of the United States, when the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act to establish an official standard for the new nation and show solidarity with the Continental Army. In

By Rabbi Cary Kozberg Temple Sholom, Springfield Jewish tradition teaches that Shavuot is z’man matan Torateynu—the time of the giving of our Torah. It commemorates the moment when, after bringing us out of Egypt to Sinai, God called us to be a “kingdom of priests and a holy people” and

By Rabbi Haviva Horvitz, Temple Beth Sholom, Middletown Approximately one month prior to the deadline for this article, my husband, Ely David Spiegel, passed away of pancreatic cancer. In an effort to bring me comfort, a number of well-meaning friends tried to reassure me that “God only gives us what

‘Your pain is my pain, your happiness is my happiness.’ By Devorah Mangel, Chabad of Greater Dayton The shocking news of Oct. 7 reverberated not only within me, but also across the global Jewish community. In response, I immediately turned to the teachings of the Rebbe when he offered solace

By Rabbi Shmuel Klatzkin Chabad of Greater Dayton The year was 1939. Britain was closing the gates of their mandate in the Holy Land to the Jews just as the Nazi regime Britain had placated was about to conquer Eastern Europe and enslave and slaughter its Jews. German Jews had

By Rabbi Tina Sobo, Temple Israel One of my children just received Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale as their PJ Library book for the month. The tale starts out introducing Simon, a boy who is on his way to immigrate to America, when the boat he is on

By Rabbi Leibel Agar, Beth Jacob Congregation For most of us, Oct. 7 started off like every other Saturday. Even though it was both Shabbat and Shemini Atzeret, my routine did not waiver a single iota. As with every other Shabbat, I got up, dressed, and settled down to play

By Rabbi Haviva Horvitz, Temple Beth Sholom, Middletown Give me a topic and ask me to write an article or teach a course, and I will have no trouble. I enjoy doing the research and will happily share what I have learned and add my own thoughts and opinions. However,

By Rabbi Karen Bodney-Halasz, Temple Israel The Hebrew month of Elul is dedicated to spiritual renewal and preparations for the High Holidays. During this month, as well as in Tishri, we are encouraged to recalibrate our souls, engage thoughtfully in the work of teshuva (returning), and redirect our life choices