Hanukkah at the Atria For over 25 years Temple Beth Miriam has been bringing Hanukkah to a senior residential facility in the area, primarily the Atria in Tinton Falls. This year was no different. On Sunday, December 6th Milt Ziment together with the 3rd and 4th grade students from the religious school, their teachers,…
Read MoreEvery novel has a climax. In what can only be called the first Jewish novel, the story of Jacob and Joseph comes to its climax in this week’s portion. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, freed by Pharoah, elevated to a position of power because of his ability to interpret dreams and now a…
Read MoreThere is a silly word game that kids sometimes play. One child creates a sentence and then, going down in a line, the next child adds their own sentence. In short order a story is created and there was no way to tell if it would be funny, dramatic, or even meaningful. As we move…
Read MoreThere is a beautiful passage in this week’s Torah portion that reads like this: וַיִּקַּ֥ח מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת־עַצְמ֥וֹת יוֹסֵ֖ף עִמּ֑וֹ כִּי֩ הַשְׁבֵּ֙עַ הִשְׁבִּ֜יעַ אֶת־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר פָּקֹ֙ד יִפְקֹ֤ד אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהַעֲלִיתֶ֧ם אֶת־עַצְמֹתַ֛י מִזֶּ֖ה אִתְּכֶֽם׃ ” And Moses took with him the bones of Joseph, who had exacted an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will…
Read MoreBeginning in 2017, Beth Miriam will be using a new and exciting High Holiday machzor. Watch this space in the coming months as we roll it out.
Read MoreAs we begin the Torah anew with the book of Genesis inevitable questions arise. With all of the tzoris and misery in the world the most fundamental question is, ‘Why did God create the world in the first place?’ Remember, this is not a scientific question but a reflective one. The Talmud answers this question…
Read MoreFor the second time, the people of Temple Beth Miriam have supported me while I mourned the death of a parent. Your presence at minyan and in our home throughout the week brought comfort and warmth to my family and I thank you from the innermost part of my being. Your cards, calls, emails,…
Read MoreBelieve it or not, I am preparing for next year’s Days of Awe. As you know, we are getting a new prayerbook for the holidays and the services will be even more meaningful. As the cantor and I are planning what we will do, let me fill you in on some of things we have…
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