David Kalb, at The Blogs

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Sep 19, 2023, 11:04 PM

Bruce Springsteen, “Land of Hope and Dreams”, Grace and Yom Kippur

Introduction: This article is based on a talk I gave at Congregation Agudath Israel in Caldwell, NJ, on Thursday, September 7, 2023. I would like to extend my gratitude to Rabbi Lucas, Susan Werk, Gayle Wieseneck, Shani Drogin, Ami Talkow, Laura...

Apr 9, 2023, 11:18 PM

The Promise Land: Passover with Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have been performing the New York Metropolitan leg of their current tour recently. I was fortunate enough to be there for three of the nights, at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan (Shabbat...

Aug 2, 2022, 6:14 PM

The Western Wall: Love and hatred

I have been in Israel for work for almost six weeks. One of the many positive aspects of my visit, has been tefilah (prayer) at the Kotel, the Western Wall, which I find very inspirational. On Friday morning July 29,...

Apr 3, 2022, 9:50 PM

Coinciding Holy Times

Rosh Chodesh (the first day of the new month) Nisan was this past Shabbat. Nisan is the month in the Hebrew calendar, where we celebrate Pesach (Passover). Pesach begins on April 15 and concludes on April 23. The entire month leading...

Mar 16, 2022, 11:46 PM

Ukraine and Purim

I spoke and led a prayer today at a demonstration in support of Ukraine in front of the United States Mission to the United Nations. It was beautiful to see a diverse group of protestors across different faiths and ethnicities....

Nov 24, 2021, 8:45 PM

Not Quite, Thanksgivukkah, But Close!

Eight years ago, on Thursday, November 28, 2013, there was a lot of discussion about the intersection of Thanksgiving and Hanukah because the two holidays coincided. A new word was even created, Thanksgivukkah. The next Thanksgivukkah is not until...

Sep 2, 2021, 11:21 AM

Teshuvah, Kappara and Independence

In Parashat Nitzavim, Dvarim 29:9 (Deuteronomy) it says, “You are standing today, all of you, before the Lord your God …” Verse 10 lists several different categories of people within the Jewish nation, from the heads of the tribes...

Feb 23, 2021, 1:21 AM

Zachor, Purim, vaccinations and the back of the line

The Shabbat before Purim is called Shabbat Zachor, the Shabbat of Remembrance. A special Maftir (a special additional Torah reading) called Parshat Zachor, the Portion of Remembrance is read. Reading Parshat Zachor, according to some authorities, is a Torah based commandment,...

Feb 5, 2021, 9:47 AM

My Revelation At Mount Sinai

In this week’s Torah reading, Yitro, let us look at the moment when the Torah was given at Mount Sinai, Shemot (Exodus) Chapters 19–20. What I have always found fascinating about this story, are the sights, sounds, and weather....

Nov 25, 2020, 7:05 AM

Thanksgiving – A Jewish American Holiday

On Thursday, November 28, 2013, there was a lot of discussion about the connection between Thanksgiving and Hanukkah because the two holidays coincided. A new word was even created, Thanksgivukkah. However, it is important to note that Judaism and...

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About Me

Rabbi David Kalb is the Director of the Jewish Learning Center, a program of Ohr Torah Stone. He is responsible for the creative, educational, spiritual, and programmatic direction of the Jewish Learning Center.

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