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Rabbi's Note

March 1, 2025

Mar1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

Friends, in these challenging times, I invite you to consider the ways in which you care for yourselves, heart, body and soul. There is so much over which we have no control that it’s important to identify where we do have some control or some influence. In that vein, I invite you to think about setting some intentions for yourself, grounding yourself in your highest values, and holding your own heart with compassion as you navigate...Read more...

Rabbi's Note

January 1, 2025

Jan1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

As we turn to a new year on the Gregorian, standard calendar, we read the penultimate Torah portion in the book of Genesis. For the Jewish people, our new year of deep introspection and shifting of direction comes in the Autumn, at Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. But living in two civilizations, at a minimum, we are primed to accept the invitation to look both inward and forward as December turns to January So what does the Torah portion in this...Read more...

A Refuge and a Match - Meditation Returns on Dec 3

December 1, 2024

Dec1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

As night falls on December 25, Jews around the world will celebrate Chanukah, bringing light into our homes during the darkest days of the year. In my family we savor the lighting of the menorah, as we enjoy eating the latkes, sharing the festival with friends and exchanging gifts that include donations to worthy organizations that help to repair the world.

The word "Chanukah" literally means dedication, in honor of the rededication...Read more...

Wisdom for November from October 

November 1, 2024

Nov1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

Following the Hebrew month of Tishrei, filled with busy, meaningful Jewish holy days and festivals, comes the month of
Cheshvan. While Cheshvan is typically a quiet month on the Jewish calendar, this year it corresponds to November, a full and challenging month on the American calendar. Election day, November 5, is almost here and tensions are mounting about what the outcome will mean for us and for our country. The air is charged....Read more...

Hallelujah!

October 1, 2024

Oct1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

Nine days before Rosh Hashanah, on the 20th day of the Hebrew month of Elul, my beloved spouse completed six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. We will now have a four week pause in treatment, time for him to regain strength and energy, time to exhale, if only for a moment.

As we prepare for the new year, we both want to thank all of you for your ongoing love and support which has raised us up through these tough times. We plan on...Read more...

Preparing for the New Year: Hiking the Narrow Bridge

September 1, 2024

Sep1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

On the High Holidays we attend to a deep truth that we spend most days fending off: We and everyone we know and love are mortal and vulnerable, and we can never know how much time we have left on this earthly journey. Our holy days provide a profound opportunity to face this fact with courage and heightened awareness. We are directed to do teshuvah, to repair what we can repair and to clarify our priorities so that we use our time wisely,...Read more...

May Graduations Celebrations

May 1, 2024

May1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

This month we will celebrate the graduation/ordination of our rabbinic intern, Aya Baron. Aya graduates the RRC on May 19th. We will mark her upcoming transition to rabbi at services at BI on May 4th. Two weeks later, on May 18th, we will honor and celebrate BI members who are graduating High School, also at Shabbat morning services.

At this tender and difficult time in the world and for our people it is important to mark and to savor...Read more...

Pesach: Celebrating Redemption & Facing Antisemitism 

April 1, 2024

Apr1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

The first seder of Passover falls on the evening of Monday April 22, under the light of the full moon and amidst the beauty of Spring. We recount our story of liberation with props from the seder plate and songs from the Haggadah, celebrating redemption, which along with creation and revelation form the three defining narratives of Judaism. Pesach holds the message that motivates our community to work toward freedom and justice while it lends...Read more...

Invitation To Joy In The Hebrew Month of Adar 

March 1, 2024

Mar1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

On the Jewish calendar the Hebrew month of Adar is an invitation to cultivate joy. In the book of Esther, read on Purim, the text states: “That month was reversed for them from grief to joy” (Esther 9:22). In other words, the month of Adar was declared a month of happiness, not because the people were already joyful but because they were full of grief that shifted to joy.

In the cold, dark winter, with the news of the world...Read more...

Jewish Wisdom

February 1, 2024

Feb1

Rabbi Linda Potemken

Which Jewish texts, prayers or practices sustain you through the challenges of life? One verse that speaks to me at this time comes from Micah, one of the Nevi’im (Prophets), who lived in a time of great upheaval and sorrow. The words that I’m about to share are some of the most oft-quoted in prophetic literature. The verse was considered by some as summing up the essence of all the Mitzvot.

The Hebrew text can...Read more...

Tue, March 18 2025 18 Adar 5785