As we continue to reflect on America’s history and her promise, we hope these words by 2021 Inaugural Poet Amanda Gorman inspire you towards a better tomorrow. In This Place (An American Lyric) by Amanda Gorman There’s a poem in this place— in the footfalls in the halls in the quiet beat of the seats. It is here, at the curtain of day, where America writes a lyric you must whisper to say. There’s a poem in this place— in the heavy grace, the lined face of this noble building, collections burned and reborn twice. There’s a poem in Boston’s Copley Square where protest chants tear through the air like sheets of rain, where love of the many swallows hatred of the few. There’s a poem in Charlottesville where tiki torches string a ring of flame tight round the wrist of night where men so white they gleam blue— seem [...]

Moses’ Character and Fortitude There are many reasons Moses is considered the greatest of Jewish prophets, why he is the towering human figure in the Torah, and why many Jews look to him to emulate. An example of his character and fortitude has its origin in our Torah portion this week, Chukkat. The Israelites are in the wilderness of Zin starting their final march to the Promised Land. It is there that Miriam, the prophetess and sister of Moses and Aaron, dies. The Torah records there was no water, and the people challenge Moses and his brother Aaron saying, "… why have you brought the assembly of God into this wilderness, to die there, we and our cattle?" (Numbers 20:4). During this incident Moses and Aaron are told by God they will not lead the congregation into "…the Land that I have given them." (Numbers 20:12) Imagine how devastating this must have [...]

Message from the Clergy on the Highland Park Shooting Once again, this time at a festive celebration of our nation's independence, shots ring out and lives are tragically ended. Once again, families are forever broken, and once again, hopes are dashed onto pavement soaked in blood. Our pledge to the victims—both the slain and the loved ones of those stricken—must be that we can never grow complacent, never allow these events to pass without mention, never believe that this will always just be the "way it is." On July 4th, a day which celebrates the best of what America aspires to be, the tragic failure of our deadly infatuation with guns reminds us that we must work even harder to keep deadly weapons out of the hands of those who would use them to harm others. We have recently learned that a beloved teacher and member of North Shore Congregation [...]