Vernon Kurtz

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Jan 25, 2024, 10:15 PM

On whom shall we rely?

This week we read Parshat BeShallach and the parting of the Reed Sea. It is an ancient story with modern implications. The Children of Israel left Egypt and stood on the banks of the Reed Sea. From where shall come...

Oct 19, 2023, 7:37 PM

What’s with Bibi’s Attire?

I have been quite puzzled the last few days as I have watched our Prime Minister meet world leaders who have come to Israel to give us material and emotional support. I am not quite sure who is his...

Jul 7, 2022, 10:07 AM

May you be comforted, my beloved Highland Park

For 31 years, I had the privilege of serving as senior rabbi of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park, Illinois. Those were very good years for me and my family in a wonderful congregation and in a...

Jun 19, 2022, 1:32 PM

Happy Anniversary

Today, June 19, my wife Bryna and I are celebrating an anniversary. To our family and close friends this statement may seem rather odd. They know that two days ago, June 17, we celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary. But,...

Apr 13, 2021, 11:43 AM

The Challenge of Yom Ha’Atzmaut

The Torah portion of last Shabbat, Parshat Shemini, contains a long list of the characteristics of animals, fowl and fish that classify them for eating. According to traditional Rabbinic practice, the animals and the fowl must be slaughtered in...

Jul 22, 2020, 10:26 AM

A Jerusalem Walk

One of the great pleasures of living in Jerusalem is its cool evenings during the summer season. The days are hot as the sun beats down on you through a cloudless sky that can be unrelenting, but once it...

Jun 17, 2020, 11:49 AM

A Year of Aliyah

There is a story told of an individual who wanted to learn about purgatory before he passed away just in case he was sent there. An angel came and took him for a visit. He saw people pleasantly talking...

Mar 30, 2020, 1:12 PM

Lessons Learned in a Pandemic

Like most Israelis, I am spending more time in my apartment than I planned on doing at this time of the year. As the weather is moderating I had hoped to take advantage of the Jerusalem spring to walk...

Jan 26, 2020, 11:13 AM

Living in the Present: Remembering the Past

There are times we don’t see the forest for the trees. We become so involved in the issues of the day that we don’t sit back and look at the bigger picture. While this is a common human trait...

Jan 12, 2020, 9:54 PM

Six Weeks in North America

I have just returned from six weeks in North America visiting my family to cold, rainy Jerusalem. It was good being with family members and seeing some close friends. It was my first visit since my Aliyah in June...

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About Me

Rabbi Vernon Kurtz is Rabbi Emeritus of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park Illinois, an 1100 family congregation which he served for 31 years. He is past president of the international Rabbinical Assembly, MERCAZ USA and MERCAZ Olami, and is a member of the committees of the Board of Governors of the Jewish Agency and the Jewish People Policy Institute. He is also past president of the American Zionist Movement and a Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the Hartman Institute. He is the author of Encountering Torah - Reflections on the Weekly Portion. He and his wife Bryna made Aliyah in June 2019.