A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha, Shelach, contains a serious deviation from the “intended” script. Moses sends spies to scout out the Land of Israel before entering; the spies returned – except two, Joshua and Caleb – with an account of how difficult the land will be to conquer. The spies recount how there are giants,… Read More
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY I practiced it for about a year and a half and much of it still comes to mind even though it was just a few years ago (23 but who’s counting?)! In commemoration of that and as a thought for the week, I’ll share now what I shared then. Behaaloscha literally means “to… Read More
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Nasso) discusses the end of the census and teaches various laws. It also discusses the inauguration of the Tabernacle, detailing the offerings brought by each of the tribes. Curious that each offering was identical and yet each was described. (For more on this, please see my thought from last year!)… Read More
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week we begin the fourth Book of the Torah, the Book of Numbers, also called Bamidbar. Bamidbar is the name of the Parsha as well and, while the book overall is called “Numbers,” the word Bamidbar is actually translated to mean “in the desert.” It speaks of Moses counting the Jewish people… Read More
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Bechukotai) contains some difficult content. In it is something described as, “The Rebuke,” where Moses conveys what terrible events can transpire if the Jewish people do not follow in G-d’s ways. Suffice it to say that there are some pretty rough examples. So much so that we do not call… Read More
Look through our 2022 and 2023 Friendship Circle memories and see what we have been up to!
Friendship Circle Tribute Book 2023December 20, 2024
This week’s Parsha (Vayeishev) continues the drama between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was his father’s favorite which instilled jealousy among his brothers (shocker), culminating in their desire to kill, then ultimately scheme to fake his death and sell him to slavery in Egypt. We learn how they plotted to kill him until Reuben, the oldest of the brothers, convinces… Read More
December 19, 2024
Teen Challah Bake Teens from The Friendship Circle, The Beacon, The Second Floor at the JCC, BBYO, and NCSY gathered last Thursday night for our annual Teen Challah Bake event! Teens enjoyed playing get-to-know-you bingo and getting their hands dirty making the dough. Don’t worry – we wore aprons! Everyone made two challot with their favorite toppings and enjoyed spending time with… Read More
December 13, 2024
A WEEKLY TORAH THOUGHT FROM RABBI MORDY This week’s Parsha (Vayishlach) concludes Jacob’s time with his “dear” brother-in-law Laban, having amassed a large family, cattle, wealth and an overall sense of maturity. The portion begins with Jacob meeting his brother Esau for the first time since fleeing him two Parshas ago; he’s heard that Esau is bringing 400 soldiers to… Read More
