Friday

6:15 PM

Shabbat Evening Services

In person and live-streamed

Saturday

9:30 AM

Shabbat Morning Services

followed by Kiddush Luncheon

In person and live-streamed

Saturday

10 AM

Babysitting

Saturday

6 PM

Mardi Gras Lock-In

for 2nd-8th Graders

Prior registration is required.

Registration is now closed.

Sunday

9 AM

Shul School

Sunday

9:15 AM

Minyan with Men's Club

followed by breakfast

In person and available on Zoom

COVID-19 UPDATE

Our Health Committee update as of December 7, 2022 is as follows:



'Tis the season for respiratory viruses . . . A "tridemic" of COVID, influenza, and RSV is currently upon us. As a result, we strongly encourage you to stay up to date with your COVID and flu vaccines. Bivalent COVID boosters are available for those ages 5 years and older. Flu vaccine is available for those ages 6 months and older.  Please visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you.  We also encourage frequent handwashing and wearing a mask in crowded indoor spaces. And if you are feeling sick, please stay home to help reduce the transmission of virus to others. Zay gezunt! Be well!

Please click HERE to read our guidelines in full.

What qualities should we look for in a judge? I’ve known a few judges over the years, both men and women, and based on their backgrounds and personal temperaments, I could probably name a few characteristics. But when Jethro in this week’s portion advised Moses to select judges to assist in hearing cases, what kind of individuals did he have in mind?



Jethro himself actually provides a very useful description: “capable men who fear God—men of truth who spurn ill-gotten gain. Set these over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and let them judge the people at all times.” (Exodus 18:21) We can agree that Jethro’s ideas are sound, other than the fact that he – like his contemporaries in the ancient world – never contemplated the idea of women serving as judges.

But what, exactly, do terms like “capable” and “trustworthy” and “spurn(ing) ill-gotten gain” mean? For this, we turn to the words of our Sages as recorded in the Mechilta, a rabbinic commentary on the book of Exodus dating to the third century CE, for clarification:

• "And you shall seek from among the people": by prophecy. "capable men": men of wealth and means. "fearers of G d": in judgment. "men of truth": trustworthy men. "haters of gain": who hate to accept money (for collusion) in judgment. These are the words of R. Yehoshua.

• R. Elazar Hamodai says: "And you shall seek from among the people": clearly, as by the glass through which the kings look. "men of truth": trustworthy men, such as R. Chanina b. Dossa and his colleagues. "fearers of G d": those who compromise in judgment. "spurning ill-gotten gain": who "hate" (i.e., who are prepared to lose) their own money in judgment. If they (thus) "hate" their own money, how much more so (are they solicitous for) the money of others!

While some of this explication is straightforward, other parts are less so. For example, R. Yehoshua wants judges to be men of means. The theory is one we still hear today – people who are independently wealthy will be less likely to be swayed by moneyed interests or bribed by corrupt actors. 

R. Elazar has a different view. One of the key qualities of a judge is the ability to compromise. I have personal experience with this. Phyllis and I were once sued in small claims court by a landlord, and while the judges agreed with us, they asked that we offer a small settlement in order to expedite the case and avoid unduly clogging the local court. We agreed, and the matter was resolved amicably.

Being a good judge no doubt requires many qualities, and I would imagine the work is complex. On the other hand, when you have Moses serving on the judiciary with you, hopefully that’s all the inspiration you need to perform your job admirably.  

- Rabbi Scott Hoffman

Parashat Yitro

Torah: Exodus 18:1 - 20:23

Maftir: Exodus 20:19-23

Haftarah: Isaiah 6:1 - 7:6; 9:5-6

The Torah reading for this week is in the panel above. If you do not have a Chumash at home, you can find it on the link below. We are reading Triennial Year 1, but you might like to read the full portion (“Full Kriyah”).

Our Shabbat brochure with yahrzeits and simchas for this week is attached. You might wish to take special notice of those who are sick, and take a moment to direct your thoughts towards them.

Thank you to all those listed below who performed the mitzvah of supporting our community this past week.