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TEMPLE B'NAI ISRAEL
Since 1904, congregants come from Aurora and the surrounding communities.
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
4 days ago6 min read
Thoughts on Seeing the Consequences
Like many people, I have found the avalanche of Executive Orders being issued by the President of the United States in the past few weeks...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Feb 27 min read
Thoughts on the Lunar New Year and the New Month of Sh’vat
This week, as we mark the new month of Sh’vat on the Jewish calendar, many of our neighbors around the world are celebrating the Lunar...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Jan 296 min read
Thoughts on Qualities of Leadership
In Pirke Avot, the Ethics of the Fathers, we are urged to be disciples of Aaron, loving peace and pursuing peace, loving all people and...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Jan 175 min read
Thoughts on the Impending Ceasefire Agreement
More than fifteen months have passed since the horrific, unprovoked attack on Israel by Hamas and its allies on October 7, 2023. Some...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Jan 105 min read
Thoughts on Fires and Wind and other Acts of God
At our monthly clergy lunch on Wednesday, one of the ministers told us of his family’s deep concern as the fires rage in Los Angeles this...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Dec 31, 20246 min read
Thoughts on Chanukah vs. Purim
In the Torah we are taught about five festivals celebrated during the course of the Jewish year. We have the two holidays known nowadays...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Dec 21, 20245 min read
Thoughts on Latkes and Chanukah
One of my favorite Chanukah songs, one which many Hebrew students in recent years seem to enjoy, is the Latke Song, by the late...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Dec 15, 20247 min read
Thoughts on Judith and Chanukah
One of the best-known paintings by the 17th century Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi is of Judith beheading Holofernes, a powerful...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Dec 8, 202410 min read
Thoughts on Bar and Bat Mitzvah
June 8, 2023 It has been a while since we have celebrated a bar mitzvah in this congregation, so it with great joy that we join this...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Nov 25, 20246 min read
Thoughts on Thanksgiving
Next Thursday, we join with people of all backgrounds in our national day of Thanksgiving. This year has indeed been a difficult one for...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Nov 15, 20245 min read
Thoughts on the Rabbis United Conference
A few weeks back, I received a call from a colleague in New York, Rabbi Matthew Abelson, the Executive Director of a group called Rabbis...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Nov 15, 20245 min read
Thoughts on Post-Election Star-Gazing
This week, so many among us are deeply upset and concerned by the results of the national election. While some folks may be pleased by...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Nov 1, 20246 min read
Thoughts on the End of the Fall Holiday Season
Last Thursday and Friday we celebrated the concluding days of our annual Fall holidays, marking the festival of Shemini Atzeret (the...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Oct 2, 20244 min read
Thoughts on the Eve of Rosh Hashanah
As we conclude this year of tragedy, loss, and destruction – truly “a year with its curses” and pray for the new year to bring blessing,...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Sep 21, 20245 min read
Thoughts on Telling Our Story
As we approach the High Holidays, we also are nearing the end of our annual cycle of Torah readings. We are in the final chapters of the...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Sep 13, 20247 min read
Thoughts on Love of Neighbor and Others
One of the most bizarre claims that has been making the rounds in extreme right-wing circles and was cited by the Republican candidate...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Sep 6, 20246 min read
Thoughts on Empty Chairs
Nearly 60 years have passed since Eli Weisel’s visit to the Soviet Union in September 1965, which prompted his report on Soviet Jewry,...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Aug 30, 20246 min read
Thoughts on Tu B’Av – The 15th of Av
Re-posted from the Rabbi's words 8/16/2024 Thoughts on Tu B’Av – The 15th of Av This week the annual period of mourning, the three weeks...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Aug 30, 20245 min read
Thoughts on Humanitarian Issues at a Political Convention
Re-posted from the Rabbi's words 8/23/2024 Like many of you, I suspect, as I’ve watched portions of the Democratic National Convention...
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Rabbi Edward Friedman
Aug 30, 20248 min read
Thoughts on Elul
This week, on Tuesday and Wednesday, we observe Rosh Chodesh as we begin the month of Elul. This is a month dedicated to preparation for...
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