Rabbi Julie’s introduction to the Torah Reading for Rosh Hashanah Day 2, 2023/5784
This year, I’m reading the familiar and haunting story of the Akedah, the binding of Isaac, through the lens of one of my favorite folk songs, the Cat’s in the Cradle. Written in 1974 by Harry Chapin, the song speaks of a father who was so busy pursuing his career, he didn’t have much time to spend with his son.
Rabbi Julie’s sermon for Rosh Hashanah Day 1, 2023/5784
In my first year as a rabbi, I had to say ‘I’m sorry’, ‘I messed up’, ‘I didn’t mean to hurt you’ more times than in the first 32 years of my life combined. In my lifetime, I have apologized privately in person, by phone, and in writing, and on one occasion, publicly to thousands of people at once. Even though I have a lot of practice apologizing and it comes relatively easily to me, I never look forward to it – it still feels embarrassing, painful, and humbling, even at times, humiliating.
Rabbi Julie’s introduction to the Torah Reading for Rosh Hashanah Day 1, 2023/5784
This morning’s Torah reading celebrates the birth of Isaac with laughter. But soon after, the laughter of Isaac and Ishmael playing together is replaced by tears of despair. Hagar, the maidservant, the mother of Abraham’s first-born son, is cast away into the wilderness with Ishmael. Given only a skin of water and some bread that quickly disappeared, Hagar is overwhelmed and distraught. She leaves the child under one of the bushes, moves away some distance, “And sitting thus afar, she bursts into tears.” Continue reading
A video from Rabbi Julie, Lily Lucey & Talia Lakritz in preparation for the High Holy Days, during the month of Elul.
Dear Beloved Shomrei Community,
Oy Vey the Challah. This was the subject line of an email I received from one of our preschool dads about the decision of the owner of a West Orange Bake Shop to cancel an order of rainbow desserts for Pride Shababt at a nearby Conservative synagogue. This preschool dad and his husband had been enjoying the delicious challah their daughter brought home from preschool every week, challahs baked by the West Orange Bake Shop. Continue reading
