The westernmost member of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Jacob, Trauma, and Kvetching
Vayigash Drash by Stan Satz
March 2026
Gen 44:18-47:27
Jacob and Pharaoh
In our reading from Genesis, Pharaoh, when he meets Jacob, curiously asks the last of our Patriarchs to reveal his age. Many commentators have speculated that Jacob… Continue reading
Avraham as Leader
Drash on Parashah Vayeira by David Haymer
Until very recently, my wife and I participated with a very diverse Torah study group made of both Jews and non-Jews, but all people interested in reading the Bible. One day I took… Continue reading
Sof Drashes 2025
Jacob and Israel
Understanding the Origins of an Ancient People
Toldot Drash by Robert Littman
December 2025
The Hebrew Bible presents the early Israelites as a “mixed multitude,” and modern archaeology largely supports this picture. Excavations in early Israel show… Continue reading
Sof Community Events
Sof Book Group with Carolann Biederman
Group members have submitted potential books for the book group to read in 2026. Carolann will put the list together and it will be published as soon as it’s available. Please consider attending the… Continue reading
Kindness and Righteousness
Noah Drash by Stan Satz
We are told in Genesis that because Noah is a righteous man, he and his family will be spared the devastating flood that will wipe out everyone else, those depraved wretches for whom God has… Continue reading
Sof Community Events
Upcoming
| Israeli Dance Honolulu via Fran Margulies
Aloha Dancers, Our schedule for the rest of the year is shown below and on our website. Donations are accepted ($10 is suggested) but not required. We want you to attend! We… Continue reading |
Moses and Monotheism
Moses Was Not a Monotheist
by Robert J Littman, M.Litt., Ph.D.
Sigmund Freud wrote a work Moses and Monotheism in which he posited that Judaism got its monotheism from Moses, who was an Egyptian, a priest of Akhenaten, who fled… Continue reading
Who Was Asenath Barazani?
Used with permission from My Jewish Learning, by Renee Melamaad
Aenath Barazani (also known as Osnat or Asnat Barazani) was a highly educated Torah scholar in late 16th and early 17th century Kurdistan. After her father’s death, he passed leadership… Continue reading
High Holy Day Services
5786 (2025) High Holy Days Services at Congregation Sof Maʻarav
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Rosh Hashanah Services Monday, Sept. 22 7:30pm – 8:30pm Dessert Potluck after services/bring apple slices and honey, too!
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| Day One
Tuesday, Sept. 23 9:00am – noon Oneg afterwards,… Continue reading |
Sof Maʻarav Annual Membership Dues Invoice (2025-2026)
5786
Congregation Sof Maʻarav
c/o Robert Littman,
P.O. Box 10850, Honolulu, HI 96816
checks payable to CONGREGATION SOF MA’ARAV
or on PAYPAL at WWW.SOFMAARAV.ORG
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS-WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD A SYNAGOGUE E-MAIL LIST FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS.… Continue reading
- Menachot 94Leviticus 24:5–9 describes the showbread, 12 loaves baked from choice flour that were to be displayed on a table in ... The post Menachot 94 appeared first on My Jewish Learning.
- Menachot 93Today’s daf continues the topic of semichah — laying one’s hands on an animal sacrifice before it is slaughtered. As ... The post Menachot 93 appeared first on My Jewish Learning.
- Menachot 92The mishnah on today’s daf describes the sacrifices in which it is necessary to perform semichah — placing one’s hands on the ... The post Menachot 92 appeared first on My Jewish Learning.