The westernmost member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Hanukkah In Egypt
By Robert Littman
Jews have lived in Egypt in great numbers since the 3rd century BC. In the aftermath of the 1948 Israeli War of Independence and the Suez crisis in 1956, most of Egypt’s Jews left. Today less than… Continue reading
From the Sof History Project
By Mat Sgan
Newly elected president Peter Freeman (1991–1992) took a page out of Ronald Reagan’s playbook with a “Morning in Sof” optimistic approach. Beginning with a warm letter to fellow congregants, Freeman invited all to participate fully, and included… Continue reading
Upcoming and Current Classes Held Every Shabbat
- Classes at Sof
1). Group Torah study sessions along with alternating Talmud study (led by Gregg Kinkley) at 9:15-9:50am.
2) Children’s Class with Biblical stories, lessons from the Torah and an introduction to Hebrew letters, sounds… Continue reading
The Last Pharaoh
He’s the pharaoh you’ll love to hate! The Last Pharaoh, a novel by Sof member Dr. Lorna Holmes, originally written for middle grade students, is finding an audience with adult readers as well. In Seattle in… Continue reading
The Ba’al Shem Tov Reads A Holy Book
by Rabbi Daniel Lev
The Ba’al Shem Tov, also known by his acronym “BeSHT,” inspired the founding of the Hassidic spiritual movement of the eighteenth century. He brought great innovations into the religious identity and practice of the common… Continue reading
20 Years A Jew: Installment 4 – Balancing Secular and Sacred
By Athena DeRasmo
Every day this convert is faced with balancing sacred observance and a vast secular life, which challenges my observance at every turn. Shabbat is a big help, the precious island in time, as are the holidays. There… Continue reading
20 Years A Jew: Installment 3 – “What’s an Orphan To Do?”
By Athena DeRasmo
With High Holidays 5779 behind us, it seems fitting to comment on what the Holidays mean to this convert. I have heard it said, and I paraphrase, “Time keeps the Jewish people.” The Jewish calendar sustains the… Continue reading
Drash Schedule for February 2019
| Date | Parsha | Drash |
| Feb 2 | Mishpatim | Mark Flitter |
| Feb 9 | Terumah | Rabbi Daniel Lev |
| Feb 16 | Tetzaveh | Rabbi Daniel Lev |
| Feb 23 | Ki Tissah | Don Armstrong |
Sof Book Club – A Year in Review
by Members of the Sof Book Club
The Sof book club completed another year of comprehensive, diverse, and often exciting reading of Jewish stories, authors and history. This year, the Book Club met eight times and read the following books:… Continue reading
The Social Event of the Year!
Photographs by Arnie Warshawsky and Naomi Olstein
On Saturday, December 9, the social event of the year took place….
the Armstrongs’ Hanukkah Party. Over 140 people attended, and a good time
was had by all. Menorahs were lit (a LOT… Continue reading
- Ya’akov (Jake) SaponOPERATIONS ASSISTANT- Ya’akov (Jake) is fascinated by how we can build a Judaism that is both deeply rooted in Jewish wisdom and relevant to the most pressing issues of our own time. In particular, he is interested in how ancient Jewish texts can illuminate problems like climate change and environmental degradation: how Jewish wisdom can […]
- Hilula for The Piazetzner RebbeRabbi Margalit will be presenting as part of a “Hilula” or commemoration in acknowledgement of the yartzeit of Kalonymous Kalman Shapiro, “The Piazetzner Rebbe” November 1-3, 2019 | More details to follow Temple Israel | Greenfield,