Congregation Ohr Shalom - Summit JCC

03/12/2026

Miracle

I sat down at my computer after teaching my Talmud class and eating some lunch, and I began seeing notifications about an active shooter incident at Temple Israel in suburban Detroit—my hometown. I’ve since learned that the shooter has been confirmed dead and that there were no other fatalities. Thank God. This comes just days after two synagogues in Toronto—Beth Avraham Yoseph and Shaarei Shomayim—were shot at this past Shabbat....

I sat down at my computer after teaching my Talmud class and eating some lunch, and I began seeing notifications about an active shooter incident at Temple Israel in suburban Detroit—my hometown. I…

03/06/2026

An Impure Process

In a text as long and as old as the Torah, there are bound to be some wacky things. But of all the bizarre rituals in the Torah, perhaps none is stranger than the Red Heifer ceremony we read about this Shabbat. In Numbers 19, we learn that a completely red heifer—its hide, flesh, blood, and even its dung—was entirely burned, together with cedar wood, hyssop, and crimson thread....

In a text as long and as old as the Torah, there are bound to be some wacky things. But of all the bizarre rituals in the Torah, perhaps none is stranger than the Red Heifer ceremony we read about …

02/26/2026

Go Punch!

If you spend any time at all online, then you have probably met Punch the monkey. If you haven’t, let me introduce you. Punch was born in a zoo in Japan, and for whatever reason, his mother rejected him. As a result, he was excluded by the other macaques. He tried to form bonds with the zoo staff, but they understood what he really needed: other monkeys....

If you spend any time at all online, then you have probably met Punch the monkey. If you haven’t, let me introduce you. Punch was born in a zoo in Japan, and for whatever reason, his mother rejecte…

02/24/2026

We are celebrating PURIM THIS SUNDAY AND MONDAY! Please join us for the Spiel & Carnival on Sunday (no cost for the Spiel!) and then for the Megillah & Dinner on Monday. Details below.

02/19/2026

Shul Runnings

Shul Runnings. When my nephew told me that was the name of the Israeli bobsled team at this year’s Winter Olympics, I thought he was joking. The Israeli bobsled team may be the most unlikely team since the Jamaican team that inspired the movie, “Cool Runnings.” Nonetheless, I didn’t expect the Yiddish word for a synagogue to make its way into the Milan/Cortina games....

Shul Runnings.  When my nephew told me that was the name of the Israeli bobsled team at this year’s Winter Olympics, I thought he was joking.  The Israeli bobsled team may be th…

02/18/2026

Perfect for your kids or grandkids! Contact Amy Weinstock ([email protected]) to sign up today!

02/16/2026

A beautiful tribute to Dena Horn….

The Times of Israel Partner in New Jersey

02/12/2026

That Ad Wasn’t For Me

Last Sunday, there was a football game on television — and, as happens every year, a few commercials in between the action on the field. You may have watched some of it. Robert Kraft — owner of the New England Patriots and a prominent Jewish philanthropist — reportedly spent $15 million on a Super Bowl ad combating antisemitism (click here…...

Last Sunday, there was a football game on television — and, as happens every year, a few commercials in between the action on the field. You may have watched some of it. Robert Kraft — owner of the…

02/05/2026

Why Being There Matters

This week, in synagogues around the world, Jews will read the story of the Israelites arriving at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. According to an ancient rabbinic teaching—a Midrash—not only those newly freed slaves stood at Sinai, but every future generation of the Jewish people as well. In some mysterious way, we were all there. That idea carries a powerful implication....

This week, in synagogues around the world, Jews will read the story of the Israelites arriving at Mount Sinai to receive the Torah. According to an ancient rabbinic teaching—a Midrash—not only thos…

01/29/2026

Dignity

I once had a teacher in rabbinical school who liked to say that the weekly Torah portion always speaks to what is happening in the world. The challenge, he taught, is figuring out what it is trying to say. Some weeks, of course, that task is easier than others. In the third verse of this week’s Torah portion, B’shallach, we are told that when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, he took with him the remains of Joseph (Exodus 13:19)....

I once had a teacher in rabbinical school who liked to say that the weekly Torah portion always speaks to what is happening in the world. The challenge, he taught, is figuring out what it is trying…

01/22/2026

Really, Miss Rachel?!

I wish Miss Rachel would stick to singing songs for little kids. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to steer clear of antisemitic controversy. Most recently, she “liked” a comment on her own Instagram post that read, “Free America from the Jews.” She later claimed that she had intended to click “hide,” but accidentally hit “like” instead. I’m no Instagram expert, but that explanation strains credibility....

I wish Miss Rachel would stick to singing songs for little kids. Unfortunately, she can’t seem to steer clear of antisemitic controversy. Most recently, she “liked” a comment on her own Instagram p…

01/16/2026

Hardened Hearts

According to the most recent estimates, the Islamic government of Iran has killed over 12,000 Iranian citizens in response to the anti-government protests that have spread across the country. It is likely that the figure of 12,000 is an underestimate. Over the past two years, there have been many protests across the U.S. and Europe over the alleged indiscriminate killing of Muslims in Gaza....

According to the most recent estimates, the Islamic government of Iran has killed over 12,000 Iranian citizens in response to the anti-government protests that have spread across the country. It is…