The other night on the Colbert Report, a television show that airs at 11:30 immediately after The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert held up two books each one authored by a member of his writing staff. The title of the first book escapes me. I can’t remember its title. I can’t remember the […]
Below is a copy of the sermon Rabbi Hyman delivered at the second annual Juneteenth Celebration. Rabbi Hyman was invited to by the Frederick Douglas Honor Society. You know, it was exactly one year ago today that we gathered here on this spot and in this manner and as a community triumphantly celebrating the return […]
At the request of so many, we are pleased to share with you the text of Rabbi Hyman’s sermon which he delivered at the 2014 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Prayer Breakfast last month. Rabbi Hyman was the key-note speaker at this community celebration. I am honored by your invitation to share some thoughts on […]
It is no small task to speak with the community onthisday when we celebratethe birth, life andlegacyof Martin Luther King, Jr.For this isadayof conscienceand memory. Onthis dayhistory and hope converge. On this day, ourpast is measured againstour progress. On this day, we are answerable to Dr. King and to his dream. The challenge and burden of […]
As the rabbi of Temple B’nai Israel, I welcome your visit to our website. This section of the site is where I’ll be posting remarks, prayers, and commentary I’ve made at various community and national events. Please feel free to be in touch if you’d like to suggest a topic for further discussion, or if […]
Shavuot is the Hebrew word for “weeks” and refers to the Jewish festival marking the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, which occurs seven weeks after Passover. Shavuot, like many other Jewish holidays, began as an ancient agricultural festival that marked the end of the spring barley harvest and the beginning of the summer […]
Pesach, known as Passover in English, is a major Jewish spring festival, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt over 3,000 years ago. The ritual observance of this holiday centers around a special home service called the seder (meaning “order”) and a festive meal; the prohibition of chametz (leaven); and the eating of matzah (an unleavened bread). […]
Purim is celebrated with a public reading—usually in the synagogue—of the Scroll of Esther (M’gillat Esther), which tells the story of the holiday. Under the rule of King Ahashverosh, Haman, the king’s prime minister, plots to exterminate all of the Jews of Persia. His plan is foiled by Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai, who […]