Bereshit: In the Beginning One of the most puzzling passages that has given rise to much confusion occurs in the very beginning of the Torah.  It says, And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.  Not difficult to understand, of course, but then, on the beginning of the fourth day we have…

Parashat Noach The portion about Noah and his famous Ark gives rise to some interesting questions.  For example, when God tells Noah that He is going to destroy the Earth with a flood, God says, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֜ים לְנֹ֗חַ קֵ֤ץ כָּל־בָּשָׂר֙ בָּ֣א לְפָנַ֔י כִּֽי־מָלְאָ֥ה הָאָ֛רֶץ חָמָ֖ס מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם וְהִנְנִ֥י מַשְׁחִיתָ֖ם אֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ “The end of all flesh has…

The command that God gives to Abram is interesting.  It says: לֶךְ־לְךָ מֵאַרְצְךָ֜ וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֝ וּמִבֵּ֤ית אָבִ֞יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֝רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֜ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ: “Go to the land that I will show you.” Nachmanides notes that Abram was not told what the destination was supposed to be.  God was, in essence, telling him to follow his nose and, somehow, he would end up in…

Parashat Noach He Should Have Jumped out the Window The portion about Noah and his famous Ark gives rise to some interesting questions.  For example, when God tells Noah that He is going to destroy the Earth with a flood, God says, וַיֹּ֙אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֜ים לְנֹ֗חַ קֵ֤ץ כָּל־בָּשָׂר֙ בָּ֣א לְפָנַ֔י כִּֽי־מָלְאָ֥ה הָאָ֛רֶץ חָמָ֖ס מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם וְהִנְנִ֥י מַשְׁחִיתָ֖ם…

Mechina 2012 was simply the beginning to an incredible summer of learning. During Mechina, I was given the opportunity to learn from other regions as well as network. I loved meaning individuals from other regions of North America, especially those with similar positions to myself. In addition, I built friendships and cannot wait to reunite…

  By BARBARA HEIMLICH AARON Leslie Bonime Aaron           husband Samuel M. Heimlich            father Theresa  Stein Heimlich       mother Max Aaron                           father Luba Aaron                          mother Dr. Ernest M. Heimlich        brother Dr. Harold H. Aaron            brother Milton Stein                         uncle Solomon Neimark                uncle Reginia Stein Neimark         aunt Theresa Heimlich Friedman aunt Freda Bonime Halpern        …

Temple Beth Miriam in Elberon, NJ is currently looking for a part-time Youth Director to overall all youth programming within the synagogue and advise the Junior and Senior Youth Groups. TBM is looking for a candidate with a great sense of humor, excellent communication skills, and most importantly someone who has the ability to relate…

The Heimlich-Aaron Fund was established by Jim and Madlyn Aaron, 5th generation Beth Miriam members, who wanted High School Seniors to excel academically and Judaically.  To that end, the fund awards $1000 to a deserving student(s) upon completion of an essay detailing their Jewish experiences and contributions to the life of Beth Miriam.   In…

Delivered by Haley Peckman 3/3/2012 Shabbat Shalom everyone (PAUSE), and thank you for coming to SALTY’s Creative Service. Tonight is different from all other nights, because this Shabbat we gather not only as a congregation; but also as a regional youth group. Tonight, we kick start NFTY GER Hagigah: a weekend where all participating will…

By Steve Peckman: Chairman, Social Action Committee D’var Torah – 13 January 2012 Social Action Service – “Shemot”   The Hebrew word for both the book of Exodus, and tonight’s Torah portion is “Shemot”, which translates to “Names”, which in context refers to the names of the sons of Jacob, it begins in slavery and…