Tag Archives: community

Holiness, Justice and Reaching Out to Others

Posted on February 25, 2017 by Rabbi Joshua

Parashat Mishpatim What can this week’s parasha, and the Torah as a whole, teach us about reaching out to others and drawing them close? Our Torah portion begins: Exodus 21:1 א  וְאֵלֶּה הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים, אֲשֶׁר תָּשִׂים לִפְנֵיהֶם. 1 These are the ordinances which … Continue reading →

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Kristallnacht

Posted on November 9, 2016 by Rabbi Joshua

Beginning last night and today, November 9-10, marks the 82nd anniversary of Kristallnacht – the Night of Broken Glass. It is called the “Night of Broken Glass” because in 1938 thousands of rioters stormed Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues causing … Continue reading →

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Praying With Their Feet

Posted on January 18, 2015 by Rabbi Joshua

Tomorrow, and really all of this weekend, we remember the inspiring legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his role in not only the civil rights movement in America, but for his contributions to humanity, and his leadership to … Continue reading →

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AZS Celebrates 40 Years

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Rabbi Joshua

This post is LONG overdue … This past February, the congregation where I serve as the Senior Rabbi, Ahavat Zion Messianic Synagogue in Beverly Hills, CA, celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special gala dinner featuring special guests, joyous music … Continue reading →

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Rethinking Jewish Prayer, Part II

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Rabbi Joshua

Yesterday we began discussing our re-engagement with Jewish prayer. As the High Holidays quickly approach, it is important to think deeper about prayer. We are not just reciting meaningless words, or remembering something that happened in the past. Jewish prayer … Continue reading →

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Rethinking Jewish Prayer

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Rabbi Joshua

*A Repost from 2010 What do you think about ‘prayer’? Do you envision prayer as participation in a Sacred Drama? Do you think of the Siddur as an instrument of holiness? As the High Holidays approach, it is appropriate to … Continue reading →

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Passing the Baton

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Rabbi Joshua

Messianic Judaism currently finds itself in a continuity dilemma (see my previous post from 2010, “Is Messianic Judaism in Crisis?”).   Although part of me is optimistic about the future of our movement, especially with the current work of MJTI, MJRC, and the UMJC; there is … Continue reading →

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A Reason for the Season

Posted on December 25, 2011 by Rabbi Joshua

*A Repost from 2010 It is not too often that as a rabbi, I get asked to give a Christmas message. A good friend of mine, who is a young pastor from Rwanda, leads a church here in the DC … Continue reading →

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 23, 2011 by Rabbi Joshua

In 1789, George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving proclamation with these words: “Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of … Continue reading →

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Happy 4th of July!

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Rabbi Joshua

We wish you and your family a very happy 4th of July, and leave you with a couple of inspiring thoughts on this Independence Day. “Of all the disposition and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable … Continue reading →

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