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Nov 5, 2025

Shabbat Shalom from the J: You Are Not Alone

Friends,

This Shabbat we will read how God calls to Abraham: “Lech lecha, Go forth from your land, from your birthplace, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you.” Abraham steps into the unknown, leaving behind the security of home and stability, guided only by …

Oct 24, 2025

Shabbat Shalom from the J: The Gift of Diversity

Dear Friends, 

This Shabbat, we encounter two profound stories that shape our understanding of humanity's journey: the great flood and the Tower of Babel.  While Noah's ark reminds us of renewal after destruction, the Tower of Babel offers a particularly timely lesson about the …

Oct 16, 2025

The Secret Maccabi History of Krav Maga

In the late 1930s, antisemitic riots threatened the Jewish population of Bratislava in Europe. A young Imi Lichtenfeld would piece together a technique to fight back against anti-Jewish gangs roving the streets, not knowing that it would later be practiced worldwide. At the beginning of cr…

Oct 10, 2025

Shabbat Shalom from the J: Finding Connection in the Sukkah

Friends,
 
As we pause to welcome Shabbat this week, we find ourselves in the middle of Sukkot, that beautiful time when we step away from the comfort and security of our homes to dwell in the sukkah. These temporary structures, open to the sky and vulnerable to the elements, remind us …

Sep 30, 2025

The Sweetness of Connection: A Reflection from our JFS Director

by Libby Batten, JFS Director

Our Jewish Family Services Director Libby Batten recently organized our annual Rosh Hashanah deliveries to homebound seniors, and the story that emerged beautifully illustrates the heart of our community's mission. As one of our dedicated volunteers shared, "It wasn't just about dropping…