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CSA update May 20, 2013

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)

For the past three years, Temple Isaiah has hosted a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project. We work with local, organic farmers to bring delicious, seasonal produce to Temple Isaiah every week and it’s just one way we practice Tikkun Olam and put our Values in Action to support our local community.

We are happy to announce that the CSA box from Shooting Star is returning to Temple Isaiah. Shooting Star CSA, an organic farm located in Fairfield, has been serving Temple Isaiah families for three years and is our CSA farm for the summer and fall seasons.
They deliver a weekly box of organic produce, including a wide range of restaurant quality vegetables, along with strawberries and melons.

If you are a returning CSA member and have already reserved your Shooting Star share,
you can pick up your box at the Social Hall … Read More >

CSA update May 20, 2013

COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE (CSA)

For the past three years, Temple Isaiah has hosted a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) project. We work with local, organic farmers to bring delicious, seasonal produce to Temple Isaiah every week and it’s just one way we practice Tikkun Olam and put our Values in Action to support our local community.

We are happy to announce that the CSA box from Shooting Star is returning to Temple Isaiah. Shooting Star CSA, an organic farm located in Fairfield, has been serving Temple Isaiah families for three years and is our CSA farm for the summer and fall seasons.
They deliver a weekly box of organic produce, including a wide range of restaurant quality vegetables, along with strawberries and melons.

If you are a returning CSA member and have already reserved your Shooting Star share,
you can pick up your box at the Social Hall … Read More >

Parashat Nasso: Numbers 4:21 - 7:89

The Torah portion this week, Naso, continues the census narrative that had begun in the first chapter of the Book of Numbers. Yes, numbers and names are of critical importance in these portions, as we settle for the long journey in the wilderness which is nothing other than the journey from individuals to a collective, from slavery to a human master to service to a the One and only God, from being freed from (Egypt/slavery) to be free to embrace the commandments and settle in the Land of Israel.

Names and numbers. This is what much of our weekend at Temple Isaiah is about. It is not only about numbers, and the names are the tip of a larger phenomenon, which is the willingness and enthusiasm with which our children embrace their Jewish community, the opportunity to learn and to be of service to others.

On Friday night we will … Read More >

CSA update May 13, 2013

Hi CSA Friends- I wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that the CSA is on hiatus.  While things are on hiatus, you must hit the MANY Farmer’s Markets, the peaches, the apricots, the cherries, the strawberries, they are in as of this week! The cucumbers, the zucchini, the green beans, coming in! Ah the joys of the warm weather crops!

See below for
1) A few recipes, because I couldn’t resist
2) Farmer’s Markets to attend, so many good options!!!

RECIPES: This Tue at sundown until Wed pm (US Reform) or Thu pm (US Conservative/Orthodox) at sundown is the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, when the Jews received the Torah at Mount Sinai, and also the “First Fruits” harvest holiday. Because our N. CA weather is very similar to Israel, we indeed, have all these first fruits available to us. We are so blessed!

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai: Leviticus 25:1 - 27:34

With the reading of the combined portions of Behar-B’chukotai we reach the conclusion of the third book of the Torah, Leviticus. Once again, on reading the last verse we’ll proclaim “Chazak, Chazak v’nitchazek” celebrating the conclusion and asking for strength as we transition to the next Book.  There is something special about concluding Leviticus. During all the years we have held our Shabbat morning Torah study group there always was a thinning of attendance as we ploughed the Levitical field: the rituals pertaining to the priests and the ancient Tabernacle in the wilderness. Yet those who stuck with it learned that going deeper, there is great wisdom to be gained… and nonetheless, it’s heavy going. Chazak, Chazak! Once again we reach the end.

In the world of liturgical development we most often think that the children of Israel moved from the very liberal “offerings to God made by any one … Read More >

Parashat Emor: Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23

In this week’s Torah portion we are given the instruction for the Ner Tamid, the eternal light found in every sanctuary above the Aron Kodesh (the ark containing the Torah scrolls).  As a child I was in awe of this light that never went out.  Every time I walked into the sanctuary there it was glowing above the ark.  As intended, it served as a symbol of God’s presence within my life. 

In the book, Teaching Your Children about God, David Wolpe recalls an experience he had as a teenager that elucidated his relationship with God and might help us better understand our own: 

“When I was seventeen, the synagogue I attended as a child moved to a new building.  I remember writing a poem about visiting the old building after everything had been packed up and everyone was gone.  There were seats, but no worshippers.  There was … Read More >

Parashat Achrei Mot-Kedoshim: Leviticus 16:1 - 20:27

As I sit to write the Torah commentary for this week’s combined portion of Aharei Mot-Kedoshim, in the Book of Leviticus, I am impacted by the tragic explosions which marred the end of the Boston Marathon bringing death and injury to many, disruption and a sense of loss to all.

What is the connection between Torah and life this week? Aharei Mot begins with the instructions regarding Yom Kippur which God tells Moses to transmit to Aaron right after the death of Aaron’s children, Nadav and Abihu. One can only imagine how Aaron felt after the loss of two of his sons in a horrific fire, certainly disruption and a sense of loss.

During moments of crisis we can either turn away from the divine in rebellion, exclaiming “Why would God allow for that!” or we can turn toward God in hope for comfort, consolation and healing. Though Aaron … Read More >

Parashat Tazria-Metzora: Leviticus 12:1 - 15:33

As many of our congregants departed for Israel this week as part of the East Bay Federation’s delegation I was reminded of my first pilgrimage to the Holy Land.  At the age of 17, I packed up my duffle bags and headed to Israel on a six week trip with sixty other teenagers from Denver.  Throughout my religious school education and camp experiences, I had learned about and embraced Israel as my homeland.  Traveling to Israel in high school was a rite of passage not only for me, the future rabbi, but also for most of my Jewish friends.  Like a Bris or Baby Naming, B’nai Mitzvah and Confirmation, traveling to Israel was a critical component to becoming a “card carrying” Jewish adult.  Being in Israel is an experience like no other for a Jew.

In the summer of 2006 I realized that things had changed.  While working at … Read More >