This week’s parsha was my Bat Mitzvah parsha, (sometime in the 1970s shall we say…). As time passes and my kids get older, I reflect more on aging. I often don’t “feel” my age, and whenever I go to weddings, I still feel like a 25 year old. Right then, my kids, (and...
Purim 2015 – Arrogance vs. Ambition
When we think about the Purim story, we immediately think of the central element of the plot, how the Persian Jews were saved through the action plan of Esther. But like all of Tanach, there’s more than one lesson, and when we look again at the characters and the plot...
Preparing students for the world – Akiva School in the Canadian Jewish News
To succeed in today’s workforce, you need to know how to multi-task across devices and learn new technology at a moment’s notice. That’s why schools like Akiva School in Montreal pride themselves on staying up to date on new educational research to provide teaching...
Parshat Terumah– A Portable Home
Please enjoy this abridged version of a dvar Torah by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks about the origins and important role of the synagogue in our Jewish lives. Wishing everyone a Shabbat Shalom and great week off. Lisa...
Parshat Mishpatim – The Truth about Lies
This week we witnessed the downfall of one of television’s celebrated news anchors- Brian Williams. Mr. Williams admitted that he might have “misrepresented” an incident which he reported during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Mr. Williams said that during the war, his...Akiva Calendar
Rabbi Grossman’s Corner
Parshat Chayei Sarah- The Lessons of Sarah and Peter Pan
Parshat Vayera- “Pay it Forward”
The theme of “Chessed”, or acts of kindness, is at the core of this week’s parsha. Avraham welcomes the three strangers into his tent with and offers them a lavish meal, freshly cooked, in a way which is above and beyond what anyone would have expected. (In the end,...
Reflections from this week..
This week once again we witnessed incomprehensible acts of violence, in Israel and shockingly, also in our own province and capital. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of the soldiers and victims of these acts of terror. As always, we stand behind Israel...
Parshat Noach – Tzelem Elokim – How can I be like God?
The book of Genesis is a book that itself could be studied over an entire year and the reader would still be left with many questions. When we study the books of the Torah and perhaps the book of Genesis in particular, we need to look at the stories and ideas on both...