I am grateful to all those who shared feedback with me about last week’s sermon - and for those who disagreed with some or all of it who shared their feedback respectfully. Judy Kogutt compiled a list of things anyone and everyone, regardless of political orientation, can do to make our planet a healthier and more durable place for us and our children - click here to read it.
Rabbi’s Recommendations
Rav Yekusiel Yehuda Halberstam, the Klausenberger Rebbe, (1905-1994) was one of the most remarkable Jewish leaders of the 20th century. A visionary who built people and institutions in the aftermath of the Holocaust, a full account of his biography would sprawl over many pages. There is no better time to speak about him than Tisha B’Av in the afternoon - join me on Thursday, Tisha B’Av, one hour before Mincha (7:05 PM) and I will explain why.
Last week’s MSOTW
Last week’s MSOTW was the Chorev Shul in the Rechavia neighborhood of Jerusalem. It was founded in the 1930s during the fifth Aliyah wave by German Jews who studied with Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch and espoused his ideology of Torah Im Derech Eretz.
The members of this community founded other institutions that continue to this day, including the boys and girls divisions of the Horev School, and Yeshiva Kol Torah in Bayit Vegan, affiliated with the chareidi Agudat Yisrael party. As the population of the neighborhood aged and many members passed away, the shul closed in the 1990s. In 2003, a group of young religious Zionist residents of the neighborhood established a minyan in the shul building, leading to its revival (and switching to nussachSephard). It is one of the few religious Zionist shuls in the Rechavia neighborhood, and is now a vibrant shul once again, with classes, chavrutot and regular learning opportunities as well as an event space in the backyard.
MSOTW - Tisha B'Av Edition
The crosses in the picture don’t deceive. In the spirit on Tisha B’Av, where we commemorate the destroyed beit hamikdash, it is appropriate to discuss a building that used to be a shul but isn’t any longer. This building was, in its heyday, one of the most vibrant shuls in America, a pathbreaking synagogue that was the first of its kind. Name the shul (hint: The shul still exists, in a different location) and what was unique about it.
Rabbi’s Resources will be on hiatus until Thursday, August 10, 2023.
Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Ariel Rackovsky
Congregation Shaare Tefilla 6131 Churchill Way Dallas, TX 75230
