Congregation Shomrim Laboker

10/23/2026

10/23/2026

In this week's Parsha, Hashem makes a remarkable promise to Avraham Avinu:

וַאֲבָרְכָה מְבָרְכֶיךָ וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ אָאֹר וְנִבְרְכוּ בְךָ כֹּל מִשְׁפְּחֹת הָאֲדָמָה

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all the families of the earth shall be blessed through you." (Bereishis 12:3)

What an extraordinary promise! One man, Avraham Avinu, would become a source of blessing for the entire world.

The Rambam teaches that Avraham traveled from city to city, teaching people about Hashem and inspiring them to recognize their Creator (Hilchos Avodas Kochavim 1:3).

Avraham did not possess an army or a kingdom. His greatest strength was his emunah, kindness, and love for humanity.

And here lies a magnificent lesson.

Never underestimate יּthe power of one person to change another person's life.

One warm smile can brighten a lonely heart. One kind word can restore someone's confidence. One act of generosity can bring hope where there was despair.

We may not all be able to change the entire world, but each of us can change someone's world.

May Hashem bless us to follow in the footsteps of Avraham Avinu, to be a source of light in times of darkness.

Rabbi Yonah Rosner

10/23/2026

Why are Jews always the story?

10/16/2026

The Torah tells us:

“עֲשֵׂה לְךָ תֵּבַת עֲצֵי גֹפֶר” — “Make yourself an ark of gopher wood.” (Bereishis 6:14)

Surrounded by a world of corruption, Noach began to build. Every plank expressed his faith that there was still a future worth saving.

The Gemara tells of Choni HaMe’agel, who saw a man planting a carob tree. The man explained that it would take seventy years to bear fruit. Choni wondered whether he expected to live long enough to enjoy it.

The man answered that his ancestors had planted trees for him, and now he was planting for his descendants. (Ta’anis 23a).

Like that planter, Noach worked for the generations who would follow him. We, too, build for tomorrow whenever we teach a child a bracha, welcome someone into shul, or show kindness to a struggling family. We may never see how far those deeds reach. Never underestimate the good you do today. A small act of faith can become a shelter for generations.

May Hashem bless us to build homes filled with Torah, warmth, and kindness—and to see our children and grandchildren carry that light forward. Good Shabbos!

Rabbi Yonah Rosner

10/16/2026

Held by Hamas for 505 days, Omer Shem Tov, a non-religious kid from Herzliya, discovered a freedom no captor could take.

10/09/2026

The Torah begins: “בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים” — “In the beginning, Hashem created.”

Bereishis reminds us that we, too, can begin again. Yesterday’s mistakes need not determine tomorrow’s choices.

A child learning to walk fell again and again. Each time, his father gently lifted him. “Why do you keep helping?” someone asked. The father smiled: “Because every time he gets up, he is closer to walking.”

So it is with our spiritual journey. Hashem treasures every sincere effort to rise and move forward.

This Shabbos, let us take one small step—with one kind word, one mitzvah, and one new beginning.

Rabbi Yonah Rosner

10/09/2026

Hamas terrorists kidnapped dozens of Israelis and slaughtered more than a hundred others at this kibbutz. Some survivors returned a month later to rebuild.

10/08/2026

2/2…Excellent eveniing at THE SHOMRIM as National Post Editor-in-Chief Rob Roberts and National Journalist Dave Gordon spoke on “ANTISEMITISM IN MEDIA” and how to fight it. Privileged to direct The Shomrim’s program against antisemitism and at top left presented Dave and Rob with our FLAME OF COURAGE award as ALLIES AGAINST ANTISEMITISM. At lower left irreplaceable community leaders, my dear friends Eric Bissell and Naomi Bissell. Top right Persian rights and and anti-Islamist activist Mandana Javan speaks. Next to her is Me.Harry Dikranian and the National Post’s Barbara Kay and Terry Newman. Centre right, irrepressible organizer and activist Me.Alyssa Yufe issued a stirring call to arms on the urgency of broad citizen engagement and not just leaving the protection of our liberal democracy menaced by hateful theocratic extremists up to a few leaders.