A majority of the Book of Genesis is dedicated to telling the story of Yaakov, and it is a robust, complex, and meaningful narrative which has the capacity to speak to each and every one of us, and it begins in Parashat Toldot. "Jacob blessed by Isaac" by Marc Chagall Yaakov's story is one of struggle…
Temporary memorial outside the Tree of Life Synagogue © UPI Photo Tragedy elicits many reactions, and while it can deepen divisions, tragedy also has the power to illuminate camaraderie and companionship, bonding and accompaniment. Yes, our experience as Jews throughout history means that contemporary tragedy triggers ancient traumas. However, our faith traditions and customs provide a…
For a book that is so often concerned with numbers, the Torah is generally very ambiguous when it comes to chronology - so much so that for the Rabbis, certain vignettes in Torah make much more sense in relation to each other only if we understand that the narrative order is not always the chronological order. Perhaps we can address…
By Webmaster
As many of you know, CBI's Sally Gooze and Richard Nielsen are in Italy for a three-month stay. Recently, Sally wrote to all us working stiffs back in Asheville, describing their time in Modena (home of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and balsamic vinegar). Read on. hopefully, we'll be able to add to this travelblog as we get more updates. Richard and I…
It is commonplace to refer to Avraham as the first Jew or the first monotheist. Leaving behind the semantic and historical complications of the terms, a question arises out of Parashat Lekh Lekhah as to whether Avraham proselytized the people of his new homeland or not, and if he did so, how did he do so, and how frequently? And…
I'll never forget my first day in Asheville. 1997, standing in the parking lot of the French Broad Food Co-op thinking, "I will live here one day." Throughout my years at Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in L.A., I often thought of Asheville and CBI. Danielle and I were married in Montford. Our aufruf (when the groom is called to the Torah) was in the small CBI chapel. To be honest, I never envisioned being a pulpit rabbi - I love community organizing and non-profit management - but if there was one place I would want to be a pulpit rabbi, I knew it would be here. (read more)