Rabbi's Message
06/23/2023 04:34:35 PM
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Dear Hevre,
As I emerge from five days of retreat during which I meditated, walked, chanted, and studied Jewish and Buddhist texts, I see anew the blessings and the curses of how much of our lives can be spent online. The blessings are clear to me as Zoom allowed us to be together during COVID lock downs and continues to connect us as a community, wherever we are. I share ideas with...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
03/17/2023 06:41:17 PM
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Dear Hevre,
It alarms, saddens and angers me that on April 1 Tennessee will enact its anti-drag bill. This will jeopardize the livelihood of many and unnecessarily cause innocent people either to hide or to risk getting misdemeanors, jail time, fines and felonies. And of course the risk that this will impact public gender expression is real, as we know how many laws there are...Read more...
Rabbi's Message/Contemplative Shabat IN PERSON and on Zoom Tomorrow Morning
03/10/2023 05:55:21 PM
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Dear Hevre,
There are two subjects I would like to share with you.
The whole world, the Jewish world and in particular the disability rights world, lost a warrior activist and teacher this week with the sudden death of Judith Heumann, of blessed memory.
You can read her obituary in the New York Times: Judy...Read more...
Rabbi's Message/Purim/Israel Zoom Programs
03/03/2023 03:55:57 AM
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Dear Hevre,
I'm looking forward to a festive Shabbat with you, followed by a Purim celebration!
We are meeting in person this evening at 7:00 pm as well as online.
***This evening Sandra Herman will be sponsoring an Oneg in memory of her sister Susan Shapiro, z’l.
Tomorrow morning at 10:00 am we will meet in person for Shabbat Zimra as well as online.
Read more...Statements Regarding Israel and Palestine
02/28/2023 05:28:11 PM
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Dear Hevre, I’m concerned and heartbroken to hear what is happening with Israelis and Palestinians. I’m sharing the statement by Reconstructing Judaism and the RRA, as well as one by the group T’ruah: the rabbinic call for human rights, of which I am a member, concerning all the violence taking place in Israel and in Palestine.
We must condemn all of these acts of terrorism and...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
02/24/2023 05:50:01 PM
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איך געהאַט כּוח װאָלט
װאָלט איך געלאָפֿן אין די גאַסן
,װאָלט און געשריגן: שלום
שלום, שלום, שלום
Volt ikh gehat koyekh,
Volt ikh gelofn in di gasn,
Volt ikh geshrign Sholem,
Sholem,Sholem,Sholem.
If my voice were louder,
Read more...
Rabbi's Message
02/17/2023 04:12:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
We are going about our days and certain parts of our lives seem stable. We hold certain things to be true and feel them as permanent. And that’s a good thing. We need to rest in that, at least have some pretense that change isn’t always happening. I know I do. And then things change. In this case, your rabbi lets you know that she will be leaving the area next year....Read more...
Rabbi's Message
02/03/2023 05:30:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
There is joyous hopefulness in this week’s Torah portion, Beshalach. God splits the sea and Moses leads the Israelites through it, and Miriam leads all the Israelite women in song and dance to celebrate. True, the Israelites soon begin to complain about life in the desert. Nonetheless, we read about a formerly enslaved people beginning their journey to becoming...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
01/27/2023 05:56:30 PM
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Dear Hevre,
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance day, the day the UN General Assembly chose to mark the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. This is distinguished from Yom HaShoah/Holocaust Remembrance day which marks the beginning of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943, when Jewish resistance fighters fought against the Nazis. Today is an...Read more...
Update
01/22/2023 11:34:51 AM
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January 13, 2023 message supplied by Rabbinic Intern.
January 20, 2023 no message.
Rabbi's Message
01/06/2023 04:06:08 PM
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Dear Hevre,
There are so many ways to stay connected and to be part of our community. In this month of Tevet, we must carry the memory of the lights of Chanukah into the rest of these next few months as we slowly begin to move into more light and the time when the Earth will begin to blossom again. It’s good for our souls to help others in need and to partake of the holiness and...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
12/30/2022 04:08:47 PM
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Dear Hevre,
The Jewish calendar includes holiday observances which often have time-bound obligations. To make sure that commandments could be fulfilled at their appointed times, four Jewish new years were created. The Mishnah (RH:1:1) specifies them as 1 Tishri which is Rosh Hashanah, the new year for the seasons; 15 Shevat which is Tu...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
12/23/2022 04:14:16 PM
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Shabbat Shalom, Happy Chanukah, Chodesh Tov and Merry Christmas for those who celebrate.
I look forward to seeing you at 7:00 pm on Zoom for our musical Chanukah Kabbalat Shabbat service. Please bring your menorah and Shabbat candles if you have them.
The Zoom link is:
See you soon!
Rabbi Diana
Read more...Rabbi's Message
12/16/2022 04:18:48 PM
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Dear Hevre,
As many of you know, KHN co-sponsored an event on the 10th anniversary of Sandy Hook led by CeasefirePA and co-sponsored with several other religious and civic organizations. It was heart-breaking to hear a woman tell her story of losing her uncle to gun violence (while being in the same area) for the first time and the reminders of all the atrocities that have...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
12/02/2022 04:29:31 PM
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Dear Hevre,
We live our lives each week, with constant news coming our way and swirling thoughts within us. Occasionally, we take a breath during it all, perhaps meditate, pray, say a blessing. No matter what we do, we cannot ignore how disturbing some of the news is, as it has been lately reminding us that antisemitic ideas as well as other hatreds proliferate. I...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
11/25/2022 04:30:00 PM
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Rabbi's Message
11/18/2022 04:30:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
We have understandably been focused on the recent mid-term elections here in the United States. Many of us also have questions and concerns about what's going to happen as the new government in Israel forms and takes office, likely in the days or weeks ahead. Several progressive Zionist organizations and their leaders expressed grave concerns about the likelihood of...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
11/10/2022 04:30:00 PM
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Please join me in welcoming Renee Brachfeld and Rabbi Mark Novak tomorrow evening at 7:00 pm for Shabbat services on Zoom. You must register first to receive a link at:
https://www.kehilathanahar.org/event/honey-from-the-rock-stories--songs-from-the-jewish-tradition-.html
_______________________________________________________________________
I want to thank those in our community who volunteered and worked at polls...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
10/21/2022 06:01:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
We have finished the whole fall holiday cycle with great attendance in person and on Zoom. Thank you again to all those who prepared, organized and participated in every aspect of the high holidays. It takes a village, and we have a special one at the Little Shul.
We are back to Breishit, to Genesis, in our weekly Torah portion. It is in...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
09/20/2022 07:02:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
I recently got off a live audio Zoom call with President Biden who was addressing American rabbis and cantors. Among other topics, he addressed the topic of antisemitism in our country and how profoundly affected he was hearing the haters in Charlottesville chanting “Jews will not replace us.” He observed that hate is never fully defeated, rather it hides under a rock...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
09/16/2022 08:04:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
I’m still basking in the joy of the gathering Scott and my friends and family together for our wedding after which Scott and I enjoyed four days on Cape Cod. [I'm actually still also revved up from Adirchai's visit and having an aufruf with our KHN community!] I’m energized and inspired by this gorgeous September weather, and all the blessings of our...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
09/02/2022 05:49:00 PM
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Dear KHN Community,
During these days of Elul leading up to Rosh HaShanah, we are given the time to focus on introspection, engaging in cheshbon nefesh, an accounting of our soul. It really helps to support this work while surrounded with others on a similar journey.
If you are feeling far from the themes of teshuva, of returning, or are feeling...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
08/19/2022 06:25:10 PM
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Dear Hevre,
I am so happy to be back with our community. Thank you to our wonderful lay-leaders, Andy, Anita and Lynne, who led services this month. You too can lead services whenever you would like. Please let me know if you would like to learn more skills to that end. I love that we are a participatory community.
I can’t say that my...Read more...
Rabbi on Sabbatical
07/18/2022 11:15:40 AM
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Rabbi Diana was on sabbatical from mid-July through mid-August, as such there are no weekly messages from her during that time.
Rabbi Message
07/15/2022 04:49:40 PM
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ear Hevre,
This evening, our speaker Veronica Laputska will speak BEFORE we have our shortened services so please come inside or on Zoom before 7:00 pm so that you can be there for the beginning of the program. Unless you are coming in person, please register beforehand at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtcOCrqzMuEtJa4M9w6I9Gb2CHrrB327TG
Read more...Rabbi's Message
07/01/2022 02:53:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
All week long I have been glowing and reliving the memories of this past Sunday’s celebration in honor of my 10 (really 11!) years at KHN. The organizers put boundless loving attention and care into creating a flawless event that not only showered me with appreciation, love and honor but brought the community together in a way that fostered a sense of belonging and...Read more...
Rabbi's Message/Havdalah Ritual for Losing Abortion Access TomorrowEvening on Zoom
06/24/2022 11:47:33 AM
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Dear Hevre,
I just this moment learned about the fall of Roe V. Wade. I am sad, furious, aghast and not at all surprised. The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has been preparing for this day and they will be hosting a Jewish community vigil over Zoom at 4:00 pm today. This will be a space to mourn this loss Jewishly, and for holding the collective outrage and the anxiety...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
06/17/2022 03:03:26 PM
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Dear Hevre,
I’m delighted to say that this evening we will be celebrating two amazing KHN students-Noah Levinson and Nina Meixler-who went through the Shul School and are being confirmed this evening! The curriculum we studied was centered on racism and Jew-hatred/anti-Semitism as well as efforts in our country toward becoming anti-racist,...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
06/10/2022 03:27:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
In this week’s Torah portion we encounter the ancient Priestly Blessing:
May the Eternal bless you and protect you.
May the Eternal shine Divine light upon you and be gracious to you.
May the...Read more...
Rabbi Message
05/27/2022 06:12:48 PM
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Dear Chevre,
This week, the Torah reading in Parshat Bechukotai describes the blessings and curses that the Israelites will face depending on whether or not they follow the commandments.
We have certainly been in touch with sadness, anger, and fear this week in our nation and in our world. There are real curses, afflictions, and plagues that we...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
05/20/2022 03:45:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
We will require masks again inside KHN as the CDC has designated the risk of transmission of COVID in Bucks County as HIGH. There will not be an Oneg this evening since it may rain and we couldn’t have it outside. We will re-evaluate as we follow recommendations. There will continue to be Zoom access.
Ideas can be powerful....Read more...
Rabbi's Message
05/12/2022 11:56:00 AM
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Dear Hevre,
It is a beautiful time of year to wander in the fields and woods, on the tow path or by the river.
In Torah Study and in Mystical Monday we read a prayer by Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav, the great-grandson of the founder of Hasidism. He wrote a prayer about connecting with the divine in and through nature:
Read more...
Rabbi's Message
05/06/2022 05:59:00 PM
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Dear Chevre,
It often feels as if the world in on fire. The climate crisis worsens, reproductive rights are at risk, there is violence in Israel, the war in Ukraine lingers on. We need to face these crises head on with our words, actions and resources.
We also need to rest: turn off the news, spend uninterrupted time with friends, family and...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
04/22/2022 05:27:00 PM
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Dear Hevre,
Chag Sameach and Happy Earth Day!
Today is the 7th day of Pesach, the day which commemorates the miracle of kriat yam suf, the splitting of the Sea of Reeds which allowed the Israelites to escape from Pharaoh and his armies for good. The Israelites were terrified before crossing the Sea because what...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
04/08/2022 06:00:03 PM
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Dear Hevre,
As a community, this will be the first time that we are joining together in person (with Zoom access) where we will be mask-optional. There will even be an Oneg! Some of us are more than ready for this option, and some of us are not ready.
We have been isolated from...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
04/01/2022 05:55:07 PM
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Chodesh tov! This evening brings in the Hebrew month of Nisan, during which Pesach falls, z’man heyruteinu, the season of our freedom. I look forward to spending the second night of Passover with many of you over Zoom. Details are in the e-bulletin.
One way that many people are coming out from narrow places (mitzrayim) in our culture is through the expansion of gender identity....Read more...
Rabbi's Message
03/18/2022 06:22:14 PM
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Dear Chevre,
I hope that you had a joyous Purim! If you did not get a chance to join KHN in person or online, you can watch the recording and enjoy Rabbi Jonah’s fantastically creative offerings as well as the Megillah readings and musical talents of many in our community: https://www.kehilathanahar.org/purim2022
Like many of...Read more...
Rabbi's Message (March 11, Part 2)
03/11/2022 05:37:11 PM
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Hi everyone,
I realize that I did not specifically include ways to help the Jews of Ukraine in my last email.
I have attached an article by Natasha Hirschhorn, my former Brooklyn Brownstone community chorus director who is now a hazzan in Manhattan. Embedded in her reflections about growing up in Kyiv, there are ways to support both the Jewish communities in Ukraine and the general...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
03/11/2022 05:17:33 PM
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“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder.
Help someone’s soul heal.
Walk out of your house, like a shepherd.”
Jalal al-Din Rumi
Cry aloud; do not be silent. Lift up your voice like a shofar. — Isaiah 58:1
Dear Chevre,
Read more...
Rabbi's Message
02/25/2022 04:25:42 PM
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Dear Chevre,
Many of us are heartbroken and anguished about the war unfolding in Ukraine. Our hearts and prayers are with the Ukrainian people. Many of us have roots there, and some of us know people living there.
We condemn the unprovoked and brutal Russian military invasion of Ukraine.
We may feel helpless...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
02/18/2022 05:22:10 PM
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Dear Chevre,
Sometimes we feel weighed down by our responsibilities, overwhelmed by how much we have to do. No space exists between our thoughts which adds to the feeling of being weighted down, with no refreshing breeze able to enter.
In this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Ki Tissa, when Moses comes down the mountain and sees the Israelites dancing...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
02/11/2022 04:59:00 PM
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Dear Chevre,
The Reconstructionist movement is piloting an adult education learning opportunity on the topic of reparations.
From the movement: "Reparations can mean many things. It is policy, theology, a moral obligation, history, and a demand for truth and reconciliation. The National African-American Commission on Reparations (NAACR)...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
02/04/2022 05:33:17 PM
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Va'asu li mikdash, v'shochanti b'tocham: Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell among them. Exodus 25:8
Dear Chevre,
As we mature into adults [a process which hopefully continues throughout our lifetime!], we need to untangle ourselves from narrow places and habits, we need to make ourselves open to hearing wisdom from...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
01/28/2022 11:56:35 AM
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Dear Chevre,
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has designated this Shabbat as “Repro Shabbat” as a way of bringing the whole Jewish community together to mark the critical importance of advocating for reproductive freedom, ensuring that we all have access to the quality, comprehensive care that we need to thrive with dignity. Repro Shabbat takes place on Parshat...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
01/21/2022 04:44:00 PM
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Beloved Chevre,
We enter Shabbat again, exhaling. Just a week ago, Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas experienced an acutely distressing marathon day that was felt by Jewish communities around the country and the world. Earlier today I was on a phone call with the White House along with thousands of clergy which was led by several professionals and officials...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
01/14/2022 04:43:00 PM
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Dear Chevre,
Sometimes we need vision, sometimes we need faith and sometimes we need both of them.
In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Beshalach, the newly free Israelites cross the sea, moving into their unknown future. There’s the miracle of God splitting the sea, and then there’s the rabbinic innovation of Nachshon who courageously walks...Read more...
Rabbi's Message
01/06/2022 09:47:00 PM
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Dear Chevre,
We mourn the tragic death of 13 Philadelphians, eight of them children. As a way to honor their memories and to ensure future life, let us all check our smoke detectors.
As we are facing a time in our country when we are looking for thoughtful, determined leadership, I am reminded of a prayer that I find meaningful called...Read more...
******* 2021 - 2022
01/01/2022 10:34:20 AM
Messages from 2022
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Messages from 2021 below, from 2022 above
Read more...Rabbi's Message
12/24/2021 04:24:19 PM
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You get the sense that it’s possible simply to go through life noticing things and writing them down and that this is OK, it’s worth doing. That the seemingly insignificant things that most of us spend our days noticing are really significant, have meaning, and tell us something. – The Paris Review interview (2006) Joan Didion, z’l.
Dear Chevre,
Read more...
Rabbi Message
12/17/2021 04:44:02 AM
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Dear Chevre,
This Shabbat we conclude Breishit, Genesis with the reading of Parashat Vayechi. As each book of the Torah is completed, we say Chazak, chazak, v’nitchazek, “Be strong, be strong and let us strengthen each other!”
It can feel hard to be strong when we are worried...Read more...
Rabbi Message
12/10/2021 03:56:00 PM
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Dear KHN Chevre,
***Just a reminder that we are not having services through KHN this evening. We will be joining other Reconstructionist communities. Please sign up before 5 pm to gain a password. Zoom services begin at 8:00 pm this evening. Meeting ID: 441 857 610. To receive the password, please send an email to info@adatshalom.net
As we...Read more...
Rabbi's Message: Gratitude and Light
11/21/2021 09:31:00 PM
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Dear Chevre,
I want to wish everybody an early Happy Thanksgiving, and Happy Chanukah, as the first evening of the Festival of Lights takes place at the tail end of the Thanksgiving weekend on Sunday the 28th.
I am enormously grateful that Kehilat HaNahar is my community. You inspire me, and I am always learning from and with you. I am honored to be...Read more...
Rabbi Message
11/11/2021 09:26:25 PM
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Dear Chevre,
To all of our KHN members and family members who are veterans of military service: Thank you for protecting and defending our country and our democracy.
This week was the 83rd anniversary of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, which took place on November 9th and 10th, 1938 in Nazi Germany. Jewish homes, hospitals, schools and...Read more...
Fri, September 22 2023
7 Tishrei 5784