Among tightly interwoven threads that form Judaism’s cultural fabric are religion and politics. They’re inseparable parts of our way of life. Jewish religious identity ispolitical in character.

Governor's Inauguration Brachah

Coming together in the midst of winter's chill, 

help us, G-d of Life, 

to feel the warmth among us 

gathering by the civic haarth (hearth),

as we wish mazel tov, from the Hebrew, “good luck”

to Governor Scott, the statewide officers, and the legislators

in their positions serving Vermonters.

As I consider my words before these elected officials,

I keep thinking about some conversations with folks in Vermont—

each of them also created in Your image—

conversations that are keeping me up at night,

and that call me to action.

This year’s Jew Crew trip was a great success! We had an amazing time in Montreal. We met over 50 young Jews from Toronto and Montreal, and listened to powerful speakers and musicians at Friday Night Services at Temple Emanu-el-Beth-Shalom in Westmount. We attended Saturday morning services at The Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, where some of our kids participated in the service! We did a zip-line across the Saint Lawrence River, and explored Chinatown. We had a beautiful Havdalah service on the roof of our hotel, and explored more of the city at night.

Rabbi Tobie Weisman's Devotional given at the Vermont Senate 4.10.24

Sunday I was walking getting ready to leave the Arava Institute office building at the end of the day. Since the day before the reality of the war has always been there -- sometimes at the forefront and sometimes beneath the surface, but always there. That awareness was hovering in my mind as I was getting ready to collect bottles to fill with water and place in the bomb shelters of the kibbutz should those shelters be needed.