News & Announcements
March 2010 Messenger
March 1, 2010
"It is my prayer that as we celebrate Pesach together and individually this year, we will also realize that just like the Sarajevo Haggadah, we have survived to bring the message of freedom to every generation, including the present one. Please come and celebrate the second Seder together as one community.”
February 2010 Messenger
February 1, 2010
"I think that this must have been the first time in history that a plane was diverted because of the fear of tefillin!"
January 2010 Messenger
January 1, 2010
“...the resolution submitted by Rabbi Stephen Leon establishes that the holiday of Tisha B‟av will be recognized by all of the congregations who are members of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism as a day to welcome the B‟nei Anousim who are returning to Judaism, and to take specific notice of the Spanish Inquisition and the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492.”
December 2009 Messenger
December 1, 2009
"As we gather to light the chanukiah on Friday evening December 11, the 25th of Kislev, I hope that we as Jews will continue to lead the world in fighting hatred, racism, religious discrimination, and intolerance wherever it may exist."
November 2009 Messenger
November 1, 2009
"The reason that I say that Thanksgiving is such a Jewish holiday is because it is a time for families and friends to come together, to thank God for their blessings in life and for the food we are going to eat, and to recognize the need that we have to give to others who are less fortunate than we."
October 2009 Messenger
October 1, 2009
"The serious holiday of Yom Kippur prompted us to weigh heavily on sins we have committed and opportunities that we have missed, but that solemn holiday ended in September. Now, during this month of October, we are actually commanded to rejoice and be 'only happy' as we celebrate Sukkot and Simchat Torah.”
September 2009 Messenger
September 1, 2009
"When we celebrate the Jewish New Year, we reaffirm our commitment to Tikun Olam, to repairing the world and making this a good and just universe. By remembering that God created the world for all of humanity, and that we have a responsibility to bring peace and morality and godliness to it, inspires us as Jews to continue to follow the major teachings fo these High Holy Days, Teshuvah, Tefilah, and Tzedakah."
Rabbi Leon's House of Representatives Opening Prayer
July 22, 2009
Rabbi Leon presents opening prayer to the United States House of Representatives
Summer 2009 Messenger
June 1, 2009
"As the summer months approach, may I suggest that we spend some time creating new sacred memories for ourselves, our generation, and the next generation to come. Let us make synagogue services and events over the summer, inspiring opportunities to reacquaint ourselves with the sacred moments and beautiful experiences which make Judaism such a beautiful way of life."
May 2009 Messenger
May 1, 2009
"It's my sincere hope and prayer that we will celebrate fully the beauty and the lesson of the holiday of Shavuot, and that, like the Biblical Ruth, we will reaffirm our commitment to Tikun Olam, to Torah, to chosenness, and to our synagogue."
April 2009 Messenger
April 1, 2009
"I can't emphasize enough how vitally important it is for us, the descendants of our ancestors who were Hebrew slaves for four hundred years, to become passionate about the freedom that we have to practice our Judaism freely, to be grateful that we have a homeland in Israel today, and to appreciate all that we can benefit from the teachings and values of Judaism, and specifically by fully participating in the services and activities of our wonderful congregation."
March 2009 Messenger
March 1, 2009
"The world of today could learn a great deal from Vashi. She really was a 'woman of valor'...a hero and should be an example to both men and women today."
February 2009 Messenger
February 1, 2009
"We pray for the day when all people will recognize their brotherhood and sisterhood through the G-d who wants peace in this world and when 'nation shall not lift up sword against nation' in the words of Isaiah. May that day soon come. Amen"
January 2009 Messenger
January 1, 2009
“May the coming year see each of us appreciate all the wonderful experiences and memories that are part of our congregation’s history, present, and future, and may our loyalty, our support, our volunteerism, and our sincere gratitude continue to grow from strength to strength in the coming year.”