65 year retrospective: d’var Torah

by | Apr 9, 2025 | Essays

Written by Bob Chodos, presented at Temple Shalom on April 5, 2025 As I mentioned, Vayikra was the portion I read for my bar mitzvah way back in 1960. Instead of discussing the portion itself, I’d like to talk about some of the developments that have taken place in...

Jay’s Personal Statement: Speech from Oct. 10th vigil

by | Oct 11, 2023 | Essays

Hello.  I’m Jay Judkowitz, president of Temple Shalom, a Reform congregation in Waterloo.  But, I’m going to speak here personally, not on behalf of the congregation or its board.  It’s a diverse community and I don’t want to put words in anyone’s mouths.  I will...

Solidarity Statement

by | Oct 11, 2023 | Essays, Temple News

On Saturday, October 7th, Hamas launched a massive offensive against Israel.  Hundreds are dead and thousands are injured.  Many hostages have been taken into Gaza.  This is an unprecedented attack that has left us all horrified and heartbroken.  Additionally, this is...

President’s Message: Kol Nidre 2023

by | Sep 27, 2023 | Essays

Shanah tova, everyone.  It’s great to see everyone here together this evening. Since there are so many people here, I will use this opportunity to give a brief overview of the most recent steps the rabbi search committee has taken: Following the advice from the...

Norm’s D’var: Earth Day Service

by | Apr 26, 2023 | Essays, SEAC

D’var: Parsha Tazria-Metzora – Earth Day: Apr 22/23 I’ve been asked to give a Mini-D’var today so I’ll try and be brief. The first part of the D’var is called The Challenge; which is to try and relate the topic of our parsha, a...

D’var from Carina’s Bat Mitzvah

by | Feb 1, 2023 | Essays

Moses is Judaism’s greatest action hero. He stands up to Pharaoh. He sinks the Egyptian chariots. He’s a teacher, a lawgiver, a philosopher, and a leader. My parashah, Shemot, gives us our hero’s origin story. But, if we really pay attention as we read it, we realize...