Today is January 7, 2025 -
Today is January 7, 2025 -
611 First Street, Macon, GA 31201
Phone: (478) 745-4571
Email: secretary@csimacon.org
Last Monday was Labor Day, one last gift of Summer, an extra day, a last hurrah. Hints of Fall here and there — the bright red lycoris blooming in a few spots downtown at this time along with a touch of cool breeze. The new month of Elul was born this past Shabbat — the Continue Reading »
The custom of reading the Scroll of Ruth on Shavuot — beginning on Saturday night, June 8th — goes back a great many centuries. A Moabite woman was embraced by kindness and love, and she would become King David’s great grandmother. Faith and perseverance and Hope, sweet redemption. Here at shul we’ll bring in Shavuot Continue Reading »
As I type these words it‟s Thursday, the last day of Hol HaMoed, the festival’s ‘in-between’ days. Yesterday I taught my kids at Hebrew School; we learned a song (Adir Hu) found near the end of the Haggadah. I gently reminded students that it’s still Passover, with its regulations regarding leaven — and as I Continue Reading »
It’s a hot topic these days, for good reason. There’s the shooting at the shul in Squirrel Hill, of course.There’s the anti Semitic remarks offered in the halls of Congress. There are the reckless and cynical charges portraying the Democratic Party as anti Jewish. Uncomfortable old truths — lawmakers, celebrities, pundits across the political spectrum Continue Reading »
As I write the words, we’re a month out from Purim — the Shpiel is coming together, the choir is getting ready, a raucous new show is around the corner. I want to take a moment to reflect upon the meaning of the mitzvot associated with Purim. 1) We chant the Megillah; we recount the Continue Reading »
A philosophy professor, a rabbi, and a brewery owner walk into a bar— Old-style joke opener, I know…but seriously folks… Here’s what’s happening. Oh, first I have to give you backstory. Because there’s a backstory. Backstory Charlie Thomas — philosophy professor, bandmate, good friend, frequenter of Jews & Brews as well as Shabbat evening davening Continue Reading »
So —as I type into my phone, my family is about to head up to NY for a winter break. These trips are uncommon for us; last NY trip was quite a ways back. So in a way, these trips also serve as markers, opportunities to reflect a bit. We’ll be spending two shabbatot at Continue Reading »
A picture is worth a thousand words. Let’s soak in this heartwarming Hanukkah moment from this Sunday morning, the eve of Hanukkah —our kids and their parents are in the holiday zone, crafting clay dreidels. There’s a patrolman at our table, hands in the clay, sharing in the moment —there’s an intimate sort of Norman Continue Reading »
As I write these words, members of Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue are burying their dead. A couple days earlier, two African-Americans shopping at a Kroger in Louisville, Kentucky were murdered by a man who was frustrated because he was unable to enter a Black church and kill worshippers inside. This week was also about Continue Reading »
When I’m not busy being overwhelmed by the onrush of all these holidays, I remember why I have such a soft spot for Sukkot. First, there’s the (finally!) leaves starting to change, and there’s the unique pleasure of the etrog’s fragrance. There’s sensation of chanting Hallel and shaking the lulav in the small chapel, and Continue Reading »