Rabbi Jonathan Siger

07/10/2024

A centerpoint energy truck just drove by!!!! I feel like a four year old seeing a fire engine for the first time! Edit: Then we got an email saying “Be prepared to wait days for service”. Three days in, I think we’ve established that, thanks, Centerpoint. God bless the linemen be nice to them.

12/21/2023

12/06/2023

For an invite link contact [email protected]

10/12/2023

From a friend: These are some safe organizations to give to. For all my friends who are in chutz l'aretz and want to "do something" to help us here in Israel - here are eight ways you can:

https://www.fidf.org/
Direct support of the IDF

https://www.latet.org.il/en/
Send food boxes to civilians in need

https://onefamilytogether.org/ Supporting victims of terror

https://themichaellevinbase.org/ Supporting lone soldiers - young men and women who come to Israel from overseas to serve in its military and who do not have family in Israel.

https://www.mdais.org/en - Magen David Adom

https://israelrescue.org/
United Hatzalah

Nevut.org/ironsword
Veteran IDF soldiers in the USA who are being called back to Israel but need funds to cover the cost of their flights.

Donate to the IDF Soldiers and Reservists Fighting in Iron Sword Israel is under attack! Nevut is dedicated to supporting[...]

12/18/2021

Shabbat Shalom!

07/29/2021

Dear congregants and friends,

As many of you may know, I have been at home recovering from symptoms brought on by an infection of what is likely the ‘delta’ variant of the ‘covid’ coronavirus. I was fully vaccinated via the two-shot series of the Moderna vaccine, and my symptoms should be considered mild. Never the less, I have not recovered fully and will remain quarantined until at least Saturday, or ten days, from my positive test for Covid antibodies. Mostly I’m tired and annoyed at lingering congestion and the loss of my sense of smell. I know others who have also gotten ‘breakthrough’ infections and they seem to have similar experiences. I am now more confident than ever that I had it before, in early 2020, and that time it was the sickest I’d been in decades.

This time is nowhere near as bad as that first time, pre-vaccine. Symptoms are not as severe and they don’t last as long. That is really good news. The not good news is, it still makes you sick and it sticks around for days and days. You should avoid getting it, even if vaccinated.

I’ve heard people suggest that this means the vaccine doesn’t work. Seat belts don’t prevent accidents. They keep you from being thrown through the windshield at 75 miles an hour. Body Armor does not keep you from getting shot. It stops the bullet from entering your body and causing grievous harm. The vaccine is not an immunization. You aren’t immune, obviously. However, the vaccine exponentially decreases your chances of getting seriously ill. I’m really thankful I had some protection this time around.

I don’t know where I picked it up but I believe it was while I was downtown last week. So it might have been the medical center, the hotel coffeeshop I had a meeting in, the restaurant I had dinner in, or the record store. I’m more upset at the idea of having spread it to others.

Jennifer and both kids remain asymptomatic, thank God. Your calls, texts and messages are truly appreciated. I won’t be leading services or anything this week but hope to be well enough to return to the pulpit and other activities shortly.

Rabbi Jonathan Siger