(After all, I did grow up near Chicago . . .) “This is like déjà vu all over again . . .” This is my last Sentinel piece before once again retiring. I could tell you what a privilege it has again been to serve as Sinai’s rabbi. And I will. But, first, a few […]
About Rabbi Emerita Myra Soifer
Posts by Rabbi Emerita Myra Soifer:
Do you Really Want to Know?
At our annual, national rabbinic conference, last March, one of the most fascinating speakers was Anne Wojcicki — biotech analyst, biologist, and co-founder of 23andMe. 23andMe is a personal genome service that offers a comprehensive genetic scan. This scan is done on a saliva sample given by the individual. Both health and ancestry information is […]
Just a Little “This and That”
First and foremost, my sincere thanks to all who attended the Nevada Prayer Breakfast or called with good wishes or otherwise celebrated the event and my receiving the Vision Award. Your support was appreciated more than I can say. You all are the reason it is a blessing to serve as this congregation’s Rabbi. Oy […]
100+ Women Who Care in Washoe County
I recently learned about a really magnificent local tzedakah effort. 100+ Women Who Care in Washoe County is a group of local women, from all walks of life and different financial backgrounds, who care about our community. Their mission is to make a difference in our community through collective giving. Involvement in this group includes […]
G’ullah: If Not Now, When?
Yom Kippur Afternoon 5773 Temple Sinai, Reno, NV As our High Holiday worship draws near to completion, we arrive – in this year’s sermon series – at the blessing that concludes this package of blessings surrounding and including the Shema. This last blessing, G’ullah or the “Blessing of Redemption,” proclaims God’s saving power. This final […]
The Shema: A Little Known Verse Gone Famous
Yom Kippur Morning 5773 Temple Sinai, Reno, NV We arrive this morning, in my sermon series on “The Shema and its Blessings,” at the heart of this opening section of our prayer book, that is the Shema itself. This is a prayer that we all know well. Or do we? I’m guessing that when I […]
Birkat HaTorah (Ahavat Olam/Ahavah Rabbah)
The Challenges of Parenting . . . Even for God Erev Yom Kippur 5773 Temple Sinai, Reno, NV I continue, this Kol Nidre evening, with the theme of my High Holiday sermons this year, which is “The Shema and its blessings”. With the help of liturgist and scholar Lawrence Hoffman, we’ve been looking at these […]
Yotzeir: The Complexities of Creation
Rosh HaShanah Morning 5773 Temple Sinai, Reno, NV As many of you heard last night, or read in the synagogue e-bulletin, the focus of my sermons, this High Holidays, is upon the opening prayers of our worship service — that is, the Shema and its surrounding blessings. For these sermons, I’m leaning very heavily upon […]
The Barchu: How Can We Bless God?!?
Erev Rosh HaShanah 5773 Temple Sinai, Reno, NV As many of you are aware, the focus of my sermons, this High Holidays, is upon some of the prayers of our Jewish liturgy. Specifically, we’ll be looking at the opening prayers of our worship service, that is, the Shema and its surrounding blessings. To do so, […]