As parents, we anticipate the dangers our children may encounter and we attempt as best we can to protect them and teach them and guide them as they grow.  When they are little, we remove all tiny items that may cause choking from within their reach.  As their...

By Guest Blogger:  Maharat Rachel Kohl Finegold In Parshat Vayigash, the brothers are locked in a struggle against Joseph (although they do not know his true identity, and they think he is an Egyptian ruler). The story unfolds like a dramatic movie or play… perhaps...

This week, our guest blogger is Rabbi Grushcow, Akiva parent and Senior Rabbi at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom: Our parsha, Miketz, continues the drama of Joseph and his brothers. Towards the end of the parsha, Joseph – whose brothers sold him into slavery – has risen...

We’ve all laughed at the infamous adage: do as I say not as I do.  Whether we’re telling our children to put down their electronic devices as we answer an email and text a friend, or insist they eat dinner before dessert as we brush away the crumbs from cookies we...

For this week's Parashat, I'd like to pass along the following article... Facing Our Anxieties and Moving On VAYISHLACH, GENESIS 32:4−36:43 Shabbat Shalom, Debbie

My older daughters take the city bus home from high school most afternoons.  It is a 10-minute walk, one 15-20-minute bus ride through a safe neighbourhood, and then a 2-minute walk to our door.  They do not complain – except when it’s pouring or freezing – and mostly...

In this week’s parshah, Rebecca gives birth to twin boys.  Esau is described as a skilled hunter and Jacob “a wholesome man who dwells in tents.”  Returning one day from hunting, Esau is exhausted and very hungry, and Jacob is cooking a stew. Esau said to Jacob, “Pour...

“Who is rich?  He who is happy with what he has.” – Pirkei Avot At the start of this week’s parasha, Sarah dies and Abraham purchases from the sons of Het the cave of Machpelah for a burial place.  The text then tells us: Now Abraham was old, well on in years, and the...

Superman had x-ray vision – the ability to see through solid objects.  I – and I’m sure many of you – have the power to see things our family members swear are nowhere in sight.  We can describe the location of every object in the fridge and pantry as our children...

For the Jewish journey blog this week, my daughter asked me if she could write something related to the parasha.  She did not discuss with me ahead of time what she wanted to write, and to be perfectly honest, I was skeptical about what she would come up with and what...