by Steven A. Rakitt CEO, The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington Je suis. “I am.” After the January, 2015 terrorist attacks against the Charlie Hebdo Magazine and the Hypercacher kosher
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Shelach, contains the famous story of the 12 scouts sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. They return, and all but Joshua and Caleb have dire
Read moreIn this week’s parasha, Beha’alotecha, the Israelites – after being in the wilderness for what seems like an eternity – are hungry, thirsty and uncertain about whether they will ever
Read moreThese famous words speak to us from this week’s Torah portion, Naso: May God bless you and keep you; May God shine upon you and show compassion to you; May
Read moreThis week’s portion, the first in the Book of Numbers, is called Bamidbar. In English, the title of this book comes from the census taken of the Israelites as commanded
Read moreThis week’s parasha – Bechukotai – is a tough one, as we read that God will grant favor to those who follow God’s commandments and will punish those who do
Read moreFrom this week’s Torah portion, Behar: “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for Mine is the land; for you are merely residents with Me” (Lev. 25:23). The subsequent commandment
Read moreThis week’s parasha, Emor, focuses on the laws regulating the lives and sacrifices of the priests and the set times of the Jewish calendar for the Sabbath, Rosh Hashanah, Yom
Read moreWhat an extraordinarily rich parasha this week! Kedoshim begins with “You shall be holy, for I, the Lord your God, am holy.” It continues to explore the varieties of holiness through
Read morePassover begins tonight, bringing an end to the frequent conversations and articles about “getting ready,” including the cleaning, the shopping, the preparations and of course, the relatives. Now what? What
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