Do NOT Curb Your Enthusiasm!
Labor Day- check. Selichot- tomorrow night. Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur- imminent. Are you ready for yet another holiday? And I...
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The God Show Podcast With Pat McMahon - Ep. 282 Israel under attack. How could it happen?
Ask an Army Colonel. Ask a Rabbi. Ask a woman. They are all.
Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Sep 4, 2023
- 3 min
Jews and Labor Day
On this Labor Day weekend, we can be so proud of the critical role of the Jewish community in supporting labor rights and union movements...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Jul 18, 2023
- 6 min
In Support of Medical Aid in Dying
Let me tell you about Mary Cohen. A refined woman of Southern upbringing, she lived in a modest two-room apartment in an assisted living...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Jul 5, 2023
- 2 min
Negotiation: What NOT to do (Chukkat-Balak)
Respect different perspectives. Listen actively to the other person and try to understand the logic of their position. Never use force-...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Jun 12, 2023
- 5 min
Pirke Imahot- A Tribute to the Wisdom of My Mom on Her 89th Birthday
In the world of the rabbinate, we use the expression, “freedom of the pulpit.” It means that, theoretically, no one is supposed to tell...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- May 16, 2023
- 7 min
Remembering America’s Rabbi- Rabbi Harold Kushner
Looking around at the bookshelves in my office, there are only three authors of whom I have collected at least 7 of their works....
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Feb 26, 2023
- 3 min
The Aloha Spirit
Akahai- kindness expressed with tenderness. What we might call, “chesed,” gemilut chasadim- loving acts of kindness. Going out of our way...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Feb 21, 2023
- 3 min
Mishpatim: Trust, But Verify
A Temple Chai member approached me at the nosh a couple of weeks ago with the words, “Rabbi, can I ask you to do me a favor?” I replied,...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Jan 19, 2023
- 2 min
Awe is Awesome
As we come together for Kabbalat Shabbat, I want to talk about something really awesome. That is- the sense of awe itself. In Hebrew we...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Dec 25, 2022
- 2 min
Al Ha-Nissim: The Miracle of Survival
I wanted to call to your attention a special feature of our prayers during Chanukkah – the addition of “Al Ha-Nissim” to the Amidah. Al...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Nov 16, 2022
- 3 min
Chayye Sarah- Try a Little Kindness
Eliezer has a tough job in this week’s Torah portion. How would you like to be responsible for choosing a partner for your boss’s child?...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Nov 2, 2022
- 4 min
Noah and Nakedness
We all know the story of this week’s Torah portion, how Noah is identified as the only righteous person in his generation, and delegated...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Oct 24, 2022
- 3 min
Bereyshit- Let There Be Light
I recently read that “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Oct 6, 2022
- 7 min
What Unenforceable Rule is Driving Your Grievance Story?
Kol Nidre, Temple Chai, 2022 Tonight we begin our Yom Kippur journey. This time is a gift we give ourselves to renew and restore...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Sep 25, 2022
- 5 min
No Regrets in the Year Ahead
Listen to the words of Frank Sinatra’s memorable tune, “My Way.” And now the end is hereAnd so I face that final curtainMy friend I’ll...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Sep 1, 2022
- 2 min
Elul: The Days of Questioning
I remember seeing an Army wall calendar that had a sign next to it, “Dates on the calendar are closer than they may appear.” Isn’t that...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- May 15, 2022
- 3 min
Emor: Good Enough is the New Perfect
The word “Emor,” the name of this week’s Torah portion, means “speak.” In the Torah, God gives instruction to Moses to pass along to the...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- May 9, 2022
- 2 min
The Supreme Court Leak
As we come together on this Shabbat, I want to speak for a moment about the controversy that erupted this week regarding a possible...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- May 9, 2022
- 4 min
Kedoshim- Love Your Neighbor
There are, traditionally, 613 mitzvot in the Torah. Fifty One of them are found in this week’s parsha, Kedoshim. Kadosh, of course,...
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Rabbi Bonnie Koppell
- Apr 14, 2022
- 5 min
Honor/Kavod- Temple Chai Gala, 2022
Thoughts on the Humbling Gift of Being Honored On October 5th at 5:55 p.m., Lea Plosker called to ask if I would accept the honor of...
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