by Katie Eacrett | Dec 31, 2024 | News from the Land
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print December 31, 2024Sondra Oster Baras Happy New Year! It is hard to believe that another year has gone by—another year of seemingly unending war, tragedy, loss. There are still 100 hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. While at...
by Katie Eacrett | Dec 26, 2024 | Shabbat Shalom
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print In Portion Miketz, Joseph pushes his brothers. He asks personal questions and puts them through a series of tests, but for what reason?This familial strife is also found in the Hanukkah story. The Maccabees fought not only the...
by Katie Eacrett | Dec 19, 2024 | Shabbat Shalom
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Hanukkah begins in a few days! What is the connection between portion Vayeshev and Hannukah?This portion recounts how Joseph was betrayed by his brothers. Joseph’s brothers threw him into a dry pit that was filled with snakes and...
by Katie Eacrett | Dec 17, 2024 | Reflections from Israel
You’ve probably never heard of Kedem Arava, a small community on the northern tip of the Dead Sea. After the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, 90% of the men from Kedem Arava left their homes to defend their country!Now after a year of fighting the residents of...
by Katie Eacrett | Dec 12, 2024 | Shabbat Shalom
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Jacob’s life journey represents the journey of the Nation of Israel. In this portion Jacob is given a new name: Israel, meaning “to strive with God”. The fate of the people of Israel is hinted at in this name; a nation that will...
