January 29, 2020 / 3 Sh'vat 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat Bo, we learn that we should establish one law for the citizen and the stranger.
January 22, 2020
Do we need two days to commemorate the Holocaust?
Washington Jewish Week
For those who traditionally mark the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah, this other, U.N.-led memorial day (International Holocaust Remembrance Day) may seem odd. So how are these two days different? And do we need two days to remember the Holocaust and mourn the 6 million murdered Jews?
-
January 22, 2020 / 25 Tevet 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Our voices are better heard when we join together in unison, with a shared vision and goal.
-
January 20, 2020
Mayor of DC’s old sister city comes for reunion
Washington Jewish Week
January 20, 2020
Beit Shemesh Mayor Aliza Bloch visits Washington
The Jerusalem Post
January 17, 2020
Here's why some DC residents won't be attending the 2020 Women's March
WUSA9
January 16, 2020
Mayor of Israel’s Fastest Growing City Brings Leadership Vision to Washington DC
Israel 365
January 16, 2020
First female mayor of Beit Shemesh on first visit to Washington
Arutz Sheva
-
January 15, 2020 / 18 Tevet 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
It is not enough for our communities to hear of each other’s pain. We can and must be present for each other, but we also need to plan for the future. When Pharaoh decreed that all male Israelite babies be killed, the midwives saved the babies and ensured a future for the Israelites. They knew that without the next generation, there was no hope.
January 12, 2020
‘Nobody needs another pink hat’: Why the Women’s March is struggling for relevance
The Washington Post
-
January 8, 2020 / 11 Tevet 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
In this week’s Torah portion, we reach the end of Jacob’s life journey. Our third forefather lies on his deathbed having his final reckonings, both positive and negative, with his sons. Interestingly, he includes in that group his two grandsons, Ephraim and Menashe, who were born to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine like Reuben and Simeon.” He then offers his blessing to Joseph and thereby the Jewish people, by placing his hands on these two grandsons.
-
January 2, 2020 / 5 Tevet 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, deals with Joseph revealing himself to his brothers and reuniting with his father, Jacob.
-
December 18, 2019 / 18 Kislev 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev, is filled with encounters that have lasting effects, although the impact is not always immediate or clear.
December 13, 2019
JCRC of Greater Washington
As we close out the week, we write to say Shabbat Shalom and reflect on this week filled with news important to the Jewish community: the tragic shooting in New Jersey, the President’s Executive Order about Anti-Semitism, and newly called elections in Israel.
-
December 13, 2019
JCRC of Greater Washington
As we close out the week, we write to say Shabbat Shalom and reflect on this week filled with news important to the Jewish community: the tragic shooting in New Jersey, the President’s Executive Order about Anti-Semitism, and newly called elections in Israel.
-
December 13, 2019
Shabbat Reflections, Friday, Dec. 13, 2019
JCRC of Greater Washington
As we close out the week, we write to say Shabbat Shalom and reflect on this week filled with news important to the Jewish community: the tragic shooting in New Jersey, the President’s Executive Order about Anti-Semitism, and newly called elections in Israel.
-
December 11, 2019 / 11 Kislev 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
The struggle is real and exists on many fronts. Antisemitism, a history of persecution, and lack of understanding between Jewish groups are some of those struggles. Jews persevere through these hardships, but it would be great if they didn’t happen so often – or at all.
-
December 4, 2019 / 6 Kislev 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Vayetzei begins with Jacob’s interactions with the Divine. He dreams of a stairway leading to heaven, angels going up and down it, and God blessing him.
-
November 27, 2019 / 29 Cheshvan 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
As you are reading this, I am at my parents’ house in New Jersey. It’s good to be home for the holidays. I love Thanksgiving and all that comes with it. Families gathering from all over, the travel plans, the food, total participation in this very American holiday.
-
November 20, 2019 / 22 Cheshvan 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
This week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, opens with Abraham finding a suitable piece of land for burying Sarah. Abraham will eventually be buried in the same location. This poignant vignette exemplifies the mitzvah of kavod ha-met, honoring of the deceased, Abraham burying Sarah in a space that was designated for her and her family members demonstrated his love and respect for her. Like Abraham, we too bury our loved ones with dignity, in respectful and well-maintained spaces.
-
November 13, 2019 / 15 Cheshvan 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
One of my most formative experiences in rabbinical school was clinical pastoral education (CPE). In addition to my formal training, after my ordination I completed a year-long residency at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Manhattan. Although I was initially intimidated by this most sensitive and critical of clerical duties, I quickly grew to enjoy being a spiritual care provider: I like the energy of acute care settings, and I love working with people of all religions, challenging myself to deeply explore my own faith in order to help others.
-
November 6, 2019 / 8 Cheshvan 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
I received an email reminder Sunday afternoon about a Monday meeting, asking participants what type of meat-based sandwiches from a local restaurant they preferred for lunch. I immediately wrote back, thanking the meeting organizer and requesting a vegetarian option, as I keep kosher and do not eat meat from non-kosher establishments. Our host’s response came within minutes –it was of course not a problem.
-
November 5, 2019
You should know…Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
Washington Jewish Week
Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky is the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington’s director of intergroup relations and rabbi in residence. The 37-year-old Philadelphia native is new to the Washington area (she started her job at JCRC in July). In her position, she works to foster community relationships with members of other religions.
-
October 30, 2019 / 31 Tishrei 5780
Two Minutes of Torah with Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky
A teacher of mine once remarked on the absurdity, in his opinion, of using Noah’s ark as a decorative motif for children’s spaces. Why is a story of destruction, emotional turmoil, and family betrayal portrayed in bright cartoon characters? Why commercialize the few verses about animals and skip over the main reason of the flood – God destroying the world? Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns, especially because the unicorns never made it on the ark.
-
October 23, 2019
JCRC of Greater Washington
Over the past few years we have seen an increase in hate crimes, incidents, and threats being committed at our local public and nonpublic schools. We must address this disturbing trend with more concrete and proactive measures. Teaching about the Holocaust and genocides, and the origins of these horrific events, is critical to fighting hate and bigotry.
