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New and Holy Rabbi Charles K. Briskin rabbibriskin@bethelsp.org A century ago, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook (d. 1935), the first Ashkenazic Chief Rabbi of the Land of Israel in the 20th century, described how the Land of Israel was being built and settled. He famously said “the old shall be renewed and the new shall be […]
Mishkan HaNefesh Rabbi Charles K. Briskin rabbibriskin@bethelsp.org It’s only July, however I am already very excited about the High Holy Days. Why? Not only because I am further ahead in my planning than I have ever been, but because I’ve begun a deep dive into the new mahzor, Mishkan HaNefesh, that we are using for […]
Leadership Transition Rabbi Charles K. Briskin rabbibriskin@bethelsp.org Every few years we participate in a significant leadership transition. We conclude one chapter and begin the next in the book written by the presidents of our congregation. The Book of Deuteronomy describes a stable leadership transition. When Moses cedes his leadership of the Israelites to Joshua at […]
Blessing for Our Children Each Friday night, Jews offer the priestly benediction over their children: “May God bless you and keep you. May God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you; May God treat you with kindness and grant you peace.” We say these words every single week, without fail, no matter what […]
Torah of our Lives Rabbi Charles K. Briskin rabbibriskin@bethelsp.org What is the Torah of your life? What lessons, texts, and experiences from Jewish tradition have had the greatest influence on you? For me, I always think of teachers and students who help bring Torah to life. At TBE, every May we celebrate our “Torah givers” […]
Now He Is A Man Rabbi Charles K. Briskin rabbibriskin@bethelsp.org Over the course of my career I have helped several hundred young men and women prepare to become b’nai mitzvah. But all of these years of experience could not prepare me for our family’s own bar mitzvah journey. Later this month, we will kvell as […]
Jim’s Kippah Rabbi Charles K. Briskin rabbibriskin@bethelsp.org My friend Jim started wearing a kippah recently. In a beautiful essay he shared the question that many have asked him: “Why would a 52-year-old liberal Jew start wearing a kippah?” I asked him a different question: “What effect has wearing a kippah had on you?” He wrote […]
Family Promise Rabbi Charles K. Briskin rabbibriskin@bethelsp.org If a community lacked a synagogue and a shelter for the poor, it was first obligated to build a shelter for the poor.” – Sefer Hasidim Every time I help distribute toys and food to needy families served by Harbor Interfaith Services I am reminded just how lucky […]
Who We Want to Be Rabbi Charles K. Briskin rabbibriskin@bethelsp.org A few months ago, a small group met to revise our vision statement. During our evaluation we realized that what it said—while accurate—wasn’t terribly engaging. We describe ourselves as warm, welcoming and vibrant. In many ways, this is true. Then again, have you ever seen […]
For the Sake of Heaven The past several weeks I have debated whether or not to speak about the Iran nuclear deal[1] on Rosh Hashanah. On one hand, I am acutely aware that I am not an expert in international relations, nuclear physics, or national security. On the other hand, this is an issue of utmost […]
