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...

D’var from Sam’s Bar Mitzvah

by | Oct 26, 2022 | Essays

If you didn’t get a chance to hear Sam’s d’var for his Bar Mitzvah last week, you can read it below:   In the beginning. You’ve probably heard these words before. It’s how my Torah portion, and how the whole Torah, begins. After these words, we...

Why I want to be your rabbi…

by | Jul 27, 2020 | Essays

As I enter my Bat Mitzvah year with you, 13 years, I am thrilled to accept your offer to extend my commitment to Temple Shalom for another two years. I may physically live in Toronto, but my spiritual self resides in Waterloo with you! Here’s my 13 reasons why I want...
A message from Rabbi Lori

A message from Rabbi Lori

by | Mar 19, 2020 | Essays

These are extraordinary and strange days that we are living in.  This world-wide virus is forcing us to rethink the way that we work, socialize, shop and interact with the world.  When many things around us are closing or being postponed, including our sacred...