News

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

Fear and Diplomacy

Balak Drash by Beatriz Aguirre Haymer

August 2025

Shabbat shalom:

In last week’s parsha we saw Am Israel’s leadership changing as the people prepare to enter the land promised to our avot Avraham, Yitzhak and Ya’acov.  This transition… 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
 

Rosh Hashanah Services

Monday, Sept. 22

7:30pm – 8:30pm

Dessert Potluck after services/bring apple slices and honey, too!

 

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

Sof Drashes 2025

From Mourning to Awakening

The Journey from Tisha B’Av to Elul

by Rabbi Emily Cobert, friend of Sof Congregational President Sandra Z. Armstrong

August 2025

Each year, the Jewish calendar invites us into a rhythm of mindfulness, marked by moments… Continue reading

Congregation Sof Ma’arav Slate of Officers, Board Members, Committee Chairpersons

Congregation Sof Maʻarav Slate of Officers, Board Members, Committee Chairpersons

Annual Membership Meeting on 6/1/2025

Officers:

President: Sandra Armstrong

Vice President: Morris Rabinko

Treasurer: Robert Littman

Recording Secretary: Kate Lingley

Corresponding Secretary: Donald Armstrong

Board Members:

Morris Rabinko:… Continue reading

Sof History from Mat Sgan

Sof Honors Mat Sgan

On Saturday, June 16, Sof celebrated the books produced by longtime member Mat Sgan. An oneg was held in Mat’s honor and his authorial accomplishments celebrated. Here is a list of Mat’s books:

Honey and Poi… Continue reading

Calendar

Shabbat Times

  • Zevachim 84
    The mishnah on yesterday’s daf declared that anything which is “fitting for the altar,” even if it’s been disqualified for ... The post Zevachim 84 appeared first on My Jewish Learning.
  • Zevachim 83
    Today we begin Chapter 9 of Tractate Zevachim, which asks a big question: What happens if you put something on ... The post Zevachim 83 appeared first on My Jewish Learning.
  • Hanukkah 2025: The My Jewish Learning Guide to Gifting
    Our annual gift guide has it all: Judaica essentials, absorbing new books, appetizing-themed plates, Jewish jewelry that’s anything but basic, ... The post Hanukkah 2025: The My Jewish Learning Guide to Gifting appeared first on My Jewish Learning.