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10 Things About Passover
April 19, 2019 by mdesser • Uncategorized • 0 Comments
Does spring cleaning stem from Passover? No politics at the seder! Not true – Passover is political. All this and more can be found in the article 10 Things I Wish Everyone Knew About Passover by Rabbi Evan Moffic.
Weekly Torah – Sh’mini
March 25, 2019 by mdesser • Uncategorized • 0 Comments
This week offers a chance to reflect on connection with our community, and how this may lead to a higher form of holiness. Click HERE for commentary on this week’s Torah portion, SH’MINI, LEVITICUS 9:1-11:47
A Museum Tackles Myths About Jews and Money
March 25, 2019 by mdesser • Media • 0 Comments
Click HERE for an interesting article from the New York Times. Thank you to Rich Sherman for sending this over!
Weekly Torah – Tzav
March 18, 2019 by mdesser • Uncategorized • 0 Comments
A lesson in humility, and using small moments to create healing. Please click HERE for commentary on this week’s Torah portion, Tzav.
Ner tamid – Some Torah commentary
February 13, 2019 by mdesser • Learning, Uncategorized • 0 Comments
You shall further instruct the Israelites to bring you clear oil of beaten olives for lighting, for kindling lamps regularly. – Exodus 27:20 For commentary and text from ReformJudaism.org on the Torah portion for this week, please click
Ashkenazi Jews & Genetic Disease Propensity
January 29, 2019 by mdesser • Uncategorized • 0 Comments
A very informative commentary from Wendy Goldberg: Ashkenazi Jews are a population with a large number of genetic mutations which have concentrated over centuries of inbreeding. There is genetic testing available based on family history of breast and other cancers to identify the markers BRCA 1 and 2, as well as to test survivors of […]
Let’s be like Avraham and Sarah and change the world one person at a time.
November 4, 2011 by urjnetworkadmin • Rabbi • 0 Comments
The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA) is the umbrella professional organization of over 1,000 Orthodox Rabbis from North America and Israel. In my capacity as Vice President, I had the privilege of participating in a one day officers retreat this week to discuss the current state of Modern Orthodoxy and to strategize a vision for a bright and inspiring future.
Yom HaShoah Thoughts
May 1, 2019 by mdesser • Uncategorized • 0 Comments
As we grieve through yet another synagogue shooting, it seems very appropriate to also reflect on the hatred our people have endured through the years. Please click HERE for the article titled Yom HaShoah: When Will Senseless Hatred Be a Thing of the Past?