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Dec 28, 2025, 6:13 AM

The Brothers’ Silence & Its Timeless Lesson

At the beginning of Parshas Vayigash, Yosef dramatically ended the saga with his brothers by revealing his identity to them: “I am Yosef” (Bereishis 45:3). His brothers “were unable to respond” to this and were silenced. Translators and commentators...

Dec 15, 2025, 8:47 AM

The Confidence for Courage in Horrifying Times

The tragedy of the Sale of Yosef (that we read on this past Shabbos) has long been seen as a symbol of the most significant challenge of the Jewish Family: maintaining our unity and loyalty to one another, despite...

Jan 30, 2025, 10:21 AM

Navigating the immense risks of negotiating with terrorists

Gadi Mozes, 80, surrounded by gunmen from terror groups, during his release from captivity in Khan Younis, Gaza, on January 30, 2025. (Via social media)

We celebrate the return of hostages, but fear of future dangers threatens to overwhelm that joy. What if living with mixed emotions is exactly the point? (Bo)

Oct 20, 2023, 2:37 PM

The Flood of Noach: 2023

The story of Noach is marked by high and lows. Noach was introduced as a person who would bring rest and relief to “us” (Genesis 5:23). While the pronoun “us” is ambiguous, it is clear that he is meant...

Mar 4, 2023, 7:49 AM

The Illusion of the Illusion

The Hidden Identities in Megillat Esther and its Timeless Lesson Esther’s secret Jewish identity is a central theme of Megillat Esther, enabling her to rise to royalty without detection before her dramatic reveal near the end of the story (7:6)....

Feb 1, 2023, 7:06 AM

The Survivor Nation

This past week, our family suffered the passing of our Bobby, Mrs. Blanche Steinmetz, Batsheva Beila bas Moshe a”h. Bobby was a survivor of Auschwitz and was laid to rest this past Friday, Jan. 27, on International Holocaust Remembrance...

Jun 19, 2022, 6:08 PM

Shifting the Language of Our Community

Near the beginning of Parshas Behaaloscha (8:6), Hashem instructs Moshe to designate the Leviim for their service in the Mishkan: קַח אֶת־הַלְוִיִּם מִתּוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְטִהַרְתָּ אֹתָם take the Leviim from among the Jewish People and purify them. The...

Apr 12, 2022, 6:58 PM

How many cups should we drink on all other nights?

The Ma Nishtana highlights the unique practices of the Seder Night. It is the only night of the year when we eat only matza, bitter herbs, recline, and double-dip. However, the Ma Nishtana makes no mention of the unique...

Apr 28, 2021, 8:01 PM

From where do we come and to where will we go

Reflections on a Community at a Crossroad It is impossible to ignore the rising tension between the centralization and decentralization of the Jewish community and its religious practices. Much has been said and will be said about these trends...

Oct 30, 2019, 10:50 PM

10/27/19: Reflections on the Pittsburgh Massacre

Parshat Bereishit introduces the first sin against God as well as the first crime of man against man when Kayin murdered his brother Hevel (4:8). The text of the Torah specifies that words were exchanged immediately prior to this...

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About Me

Rabbi Kenny Schiowitz is the rabbi of Congregation Shaare Tefillah of Teaneck and is Associate Principal at the Ramaz Upper School.

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