Rabbi's Weekly Torah Thoughts
Dear Friends,
In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Tissa, God asks each of us to donate a half shekel to be counted as a member of the people. Why a half shekel? Because it is only when we come together as a people, as a community, that we become whole. Now more than ever, we need each other!
Coming together as a community is at the center of who we are as Jews. Yet preventing the spread of this pandemic and staying healthy requires distancing ourselves physically from one another for a time. Preserving life, pikuach nefesh in Hebrew, is a supreme Jewish value. Still, we cannot allow this current reality to prevent us from reaching out to one another in love and supporting one another.
If anyone, young or old, would like to speak with me about how they are feeling, please start by emailing me at rabbipont@mjcnj.com, or by calling 732-536-2300, ext. 107. Rabbi Koas and Cantor Teplitz are available as well: ronkoas@mjcnj.com, cantorteplitz@mjcnj.com.
Acts of kindness, or chesed in Hebrew, are a pillar of Jewish identity. Would you like to help others by making phone calls or by running errands? Or do you need help? Please let me know or contact Dara Winston at dwinston@mjcnj.com.
Finally, I am grateful to Executive Director Dara Winston, to President Len Whitman, and to the entire MJC leadership team. The guidelines that they have put into place will help all of us to navigate this crisis.
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Pont
High Holiday Sermons
Yom Kippur 5780 - Rabbi Michael Pont - Antisemitism Continued
Kol Nidre 5780 - Rabbi Michael Pont - Antisemitism
Rosh Hashanah 5780 - Rabbi Ron Koas - Making Wine
Watch the Rabbis' 5780 Sermons Online:
Kol Nidre 5780 - Rabbi Michael Pont - Kol Nidre Sermon
Yom Kippur 5780 - Rabbi Mihcael Pont - Yom Kippur Day Sermon
Rosh Hashanah 5780 - Rabbi Michael Pont - Teaching Your Child to Drive
Rosh Hashanah 5780 - Rabbi Ron Koas - Making Wine