Rabbi's Messages

Have you been…

Putting off learning to read Hebrew…

Meaning to read that book that sounded interesting…

Intending to become Bar or Bat Mitzvah (even as an adult)…

Wanting to delve more deeply into some aspect of Judaism…

…but not finding the time?

We all have lots of things we’ve been putting off or meaning to do. It’s easy to get caught up in daily life – to focus on doing what is urgent and not get to what is important. And as much as we think this is an aspect of our busy 21st century lives, it’s clearly a very old problem. Almost 20 centuries, Hillel the Elder famously admonished his students, “If not now, when?”

When, indeed? Jewish tradition teaches us that there is no time like the present to take on a new project, read a new book, or learn something new. In fact, Jewish life is all about lifelong learning.  We are taught in the Talmud that “Talmud Torah k’negged kulam – Study is equal to a whole life of mitzvot.” Because our study leads us to a more fulfilling life and a more fulfilled self.

Kol Ami is a community of learners, and we have a dizzying array of learning opportunities every single month:

• Book Club – meets every other month, reading interesting, Jewishly-related fiction and nonfiction books;

• Sushi & Study – This monthly Thursday learning group is starting a new topic this month. We talk philosophy, ethics, beliefs, history…plus we eat!

• Torah Study – On Saturday mornings this year we will be reading the Biblical books of Ezra and Nehemiah, learning about the lives of our ancient ancestors right after the Babylonian Exile.

And let me highlight three new opportunities that are starting this month:

• Hebrew Classes – We are beginning Monday evening Hebrew classes both for beginners and for those who already know how to read and are looking for more.

• Adult B’nai Mitzvah – Our popular program for those who never became Bar/Bat Mitzvah is back for the third time on Monday evenings.

• Wednesday Morning Talmud – A deeper dive for those looking for a weekly study opportunity.

Lots of opportunities; lots of different topics. Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions or for information about any of the above. There’s no time like right now to figure out what you want to learn about and dive right in. As Hillel would say: If not now, when?

L’shalom,

Rabbi Micah Streiffer