Every Friday, as Shabbat approaches, Rabbi Yoshi offers a message rooted in the wisdom of the parasha or our rabbinic tradition — shared not as ancient history, but as living guidance for the world we’re actually navigating together. Thoughtful, timely, and always accessible, these reflections are a reminder that Torah has something real and generous to say about the moments that matter most.
Shabbat Shalom – Friday, June 5, 2026
June is Pride Month — named for the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969, when a movement for full inclusion and equal rights for all people regardless of their sexuality or gender identity changed the world. Last month, I was deeply honored to receive the Allyship Award from JQ International, [...]
Shabbat Shalom – Friday, May 29, 2026
This week’s Torah portion begins with an instruction. While given specifically to Aaron as the High Priest, I think these words are meant for all of us and especially our leaders. We read: “Speak to Aaron and say to him, ‘When you cause the light to go up, let [...]
Shabbat Shalom – Friday, May 22, 2026
This Shabbat is Shavuot, the holiday that celebrates the giving of Torah at Sinai. And as is the custom on Shavuot, we read the Book of Ruth.I have been thinking about something my Bible teacher at Hebrew Union College, Rabbi Dr. Tamara Cohn Eskenazi, taught me about this remarkable book. [...]
Shabbat Shalom – Friday, May 15, 2026
This Shabbat we begin a new book of the Torah. B’midbar (Numbers) opens with a census. God instructs Moses: שְׂאוּ אֶת־רֹאשׁ כָּל־עֲדַת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵלs’u et rosh kol adat b’nei Yisrael— raise up the head of each member of the Israelite community. Every individual is named. Every person, tribe by tribe. No [...]
Shabbat Shalom – Friday, May 8, 2026
This past Sunday evening, our community was blessed with a truly extraordinary experience. Rachel Goldberg-Polin joined us, and I think it's fair to say that everyone in that room left transformed. If you were not able to be with us, I want to encourage you wholeheartedly to get a [...]
Shabbat Shalom – Friday, May 1, 2026
This week we read Parshat Emor. It opens with a single, urgent command — and then immediately repeats it: וַיֹּאמֶר ה׳ אֶל־מֹשֶׁה אֱמֹר אֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִים בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם… "God said to Moses: Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them..." (Leviticus 21:1) Emor — speak. Ve'amarta — and say. The Torah uses two words [...]