Author Archive: Adina Davies
Checking in on our Community
While BJEP’s Board continues discussions these past few weeks on a variety of important topics, our first priority is to check on the well-being of our BJEP community in these unprecedented times. Debbie Friedman, z”l, a Jewish singer/songwriter who was a leader in composing contemporary Jewish songs, wrote a beautiful prayer for healing. We share […]
Continue ReadingWhy are We Here?
Remarks by Alex Friedman, BJEP 7th Grade Teacher: What better way to understand why a Jewish education, in general, and BJEP Jewish Sunday School, in particular, is important, than through the words of one of our classroom teachers? In a world with incidents of anti-Semitism and violence, it is difficult to make sense of what […]
Continue ReadingReflections on Mayyim Hayyim
Written by Aly Schenker, BJEP Parent “Where are we going?” “What is it?” “Why?” My two boys, ages seven and ten, were pelting me with questions – none of which I could answer. It was one of those mom moments that felt frustrating. “It’s this place in Newton that has these special baths and it […]
Continue ReadingRelating Moses to Marie Kondo’s Approach to Housework and Taking Care of Our Things
Parashat Yitro and Habits The Torah portion, Yitro, is among my favorite in the Torah. This is the part of the Torah where we receive the Ten Commandments. But, the reason that I like it so much is because of how the Torah portion starts. Moses is listening to the grievances of the Israelites, sitting as […]
Continue ReadingGiving Thanks and Incorporating Themes of Justice
As we approach Thanksgiving this year, I want to offer two observations. The first is that there are Jewish connections to the holiday. There is historical evidence that, prior to coming to the New World, the Pilgrims lived among Sephardic Jews in Holland for a brief time. During that period, they would have experienced Sukkot […]
Continue ReadingThank You for Your Service
What does it mean to serve? The definition of “serve” is varied. For example, as an intransitive verb (not having a direct object and, yes, I had to look that up), it has seven different meanings, including: as a servant or in the military to be of use to be worthy of reliance or trust to […]
Continue ReadingHineni: “I am ready” and “I am prepared
As you might expect, the start of school and High Holiday preparations are always daunting for a Jewish professional and no prayer brings that point home more than the Hineni (הִנֵנִי), which reflects on the ability to pray with humility and sincerity, while fearing that one is unworthy of the task. Hineni ִmeans much more […]
Continue ReadingShavuot: The Festival Honoring Receiving the Torah
Shavuot is one of my favorite holidays. It is the third of our three festival holidays, so-called because, in Temple times, Jews from all over would travel to Jerusalem to make sacrifices. In fact, in Hebrew, Shavuot, along with Sukkot and Pesach (Passover), are called the Shalosh Regalim ([literally] the three legs or feet), because for each of […]
Continue ReadingBJEP Talks: Pass it on! November 5, 2017, 10am-12pm
Join us to hear a dynamic panel discuss their backgrounds and how their lives intersect with the Jewish themes of Giving, Lifelong Jewish Learning and Generation to Generation. BJEP invites you, your friends and family, and the Boston-area community to attend this special event! This is our first of three event for BJEP Turns 50! […]
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