Congregation Adas Emuno

This Week at Adas Emuno

July 24, 2025 8:34 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

July 24, 2025

Dear Friends,
The name of this week's Torah portion is "Journeys".
This last section from the Book of Numbers lists each and every stop our Israelite ancestors made during their forty years in the desert.
At our monthly reading from the Torah at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) I'll read from just the beginning of that long list (it’s pages long).
Lurking behind the text is the question of why every stop is mentioned, and why the original Torah (the last book, Deuteronomy, is a later addition) chooses to end this way.
And we're very happy to have Rabbi Max Chaiken subbing for the cantor this week. Did you know that Max was a head camp song leader, with the guitar skills to prove it!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

July 17, 2025 9:17 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

July 17, 2025

Dear Friends,
A group of five daughters, for the sake of honoring the memory of their father, created quite a stir among Moses and the Israelites.
And Dan Pasky will honor his father, who recently passed away, with a brief but loving tribute.
Both tales will be told at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

July 10, 2025 8:55 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

July 10, 2025

Dear Friends,
"Rising Lion" was the name of Israel's dramatic operation against Iran.
It’s from this week's Torah portion, and there is quite a story behind it.
We'll tell the tale at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

At our Adas Emuno Book Club this Monday (7:30 PM): a discussion of Michael Chabon's Pulitzer prize winning novel, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, described as “an epic historical novel that charts 16 years in the lives of Sammy Clay and Joe Kavalier, two Jewish cousins who create a wildly popular series of comic books in the early 1940s, the years leading up to the entry of the U.S. into World War II.”

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Outdoor Shabbat Service and Picnic

July 03, 2025 8:26 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

July 3, 2025

Dear Friends,
Tomorrow is July 4, and we wish you, and our country, a Happy Independence Day.
This is also the first Shabbat of a summer month, when we have our early outdoor patio Shabbat Evening Service (6:00 PM).
We're planning to infuse the service with American folk music that you will know and enjoy.
Bring a pot-luck picnic for afterwards, and as usual we'll supply drinks and dessert.
You'll be home in plenty of time for the fireworks!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

June 26, 2025 8:17 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

June 27, 2025

Dear Friends,
Internal dissent is especially challenging at times of external threat.
That is true here and now for us, and for our ancestors.
At our monthly reading of the Torah at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM), we'll observe how an uprising against Moses from his very own tribe put the whole community in jeopardy.

Thanks to all who participated in our Annual Meeting and Gathering in the Garden. Next Friday is July 4, but also the first Shabbat of the month, so come celebrate both at our outdoor patio service (6:00 PM).

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

June 19, 2025 8:24 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

June 19, 2025

Dear Friends,
Our annual Gathering in the Garden is by all means in person; come enjoy on Sunday (4:00-6:00 PM), and bring a friend.

I had the opportunity this past week to visit two European cities with a long and rich Jewish heritage: Vienna and Prague.
I'll reflect on the past, present and future of this heritage at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM).

The crisis in Israel was very much manifest while I was there...and Israel is constantly in our thoughts and prayers during this most challenging of times.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

June 12, 2025 8:26 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

June 12, 2025

Dear Friends,
In my absence this week Cantor Suzy will solo lead our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM), and I am sure she will value your participation.

Happy Flag Day on Saturday; Happy Father's Day on Sunday.

Our 154th Annual Meeting will be held virtually (our founders could never have dreamed of Zoom!) next Thursday the 19th (7:00 PM) so mark your calendar to attend from the comfort of your home.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno—Outdoor Service and Picnic Beginning at 6 PM

June 05, 2025 8:04 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

June 5, 2025

Dear Friends,
Welcome summer at our first-of-the-month outdoor patio Shabbat Evening Service (6:00 PM- note early time).
We're calling this "Camp Shabbat" because we're highlighting the music of Jewish summer camp, with Scott and Marissa Dennis, who happen to be camp song leaders!
Bring your own pot-luck supper for afterwards; we'll supply the drinks and deserts.
And your camp ruach!

Our congregation is proud to once again be represented at Leonia Pride Day on Saturday at Wood Park (2:00-5:00 PM).

Even if you didn't see the Israeli comedy The Wedding Plan, you might enjoy the discussion of it at our Adas Emuno Film Club on Monday (7:30 PM).
And if you just saw the new American Jewish comedy, Bad Shabbas, let me know if I should see it- the reviews I read indicate that you either love it or hate it!

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

Please note that our outdoor service will not be livestreamed.

This Week at Adas Emuno

May 29, 2025 1:11 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

May 29, 2025

Dear Friends,
The holiday of Shavuot (which arrives Sunday evening) sometimes feels like it gets lost in translation from major biblical festival to modern holiday.
We'll remark about this at our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) even as we celebrate this holiday of first fruits and the giving of the Torah.

Our first outdoor, on-the-patio summer service takes place next week (6:00 PM). We'll make it extra special by featuring camp music (Jewish summer camp favorites, that is). An optional bring-your-own picnic supper follows; we'll supply the drinks and dessert.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz

This Week at Adas Emuno

May 22, 2025 9:46 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

May 22, 2025

Dear Friends,
The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and that is true at the congregation as well.
Torah study and religious school have now concluded, but our Shabbat Evening Service (7:30 PM) continues year round (with outdoor patio services on the first Shabbat of June, July and August at 6:00 PM).

My remarks this week are spurred by a single line uttered by Elon Musk a few months ago, "The fundamental weakness of western civilization is empathy." Judaism begs to differ, and I'll explain why!

On this Shabbat and holiday weekend we pause to remember the enormous sacrifice of those who have fallen in defense of our country. For me this is always personal as I remember Jeremy Kane and Justin Major, two of my dear bar mitzvah/confirmation students in my previous congregation, who died while serving in the Marines.

Last night two young staff members of the Israeli embassy were shot and killed in Washington, DC. We mourn Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgram, who were about to be engaged.

Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Schwartz