tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3124304772989231512012-02-01T08:25:02.197-05:00rests on three pillars: Klal Israel (Jewish Peoplehood), Tikun Israel, and Tikun Olam. Each pillar, serving as a series of progressive values, provides a window into a world of purpose. Together, the pillars provide a foundation of infinite potential, action and divine awareness in our world. For the sake of Zion - do something.Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-31750252049725859202012-02-01T08:12:00.001-05:002012-02-01T08:25:02.201-05:00

בשבת הקרוב, שבת שירה - אנו מוצאים חיזוק והשראה דרך שתי דמויות מרכזיות: מרים הנביאה ודבורה הנביאה ושופטת. כשחוצים בני ישראל את ים סוף, חוצים את קו העבדות לחירות. זה בעצם תחילת התפתחות בני ישראל --> לעם ישראל, "וַתִּקַּח מִרְיָם הַנְּבִיאָה אֲחוֹת אַהֲרֹן, אֶת-הַתֹּף--בְּיָדָהּ; וַתֵּצֶאןָ כָל-הַנָּשִׁים אַחֲרֶיהָ, בְּתֻפִּים וּבִמְחֹלֹת. כא וַתַּעַן לָהֶם, מִרְיָם: שִׁירוּ לַה'..." (שמות טו:כ-כא).

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-71886301425383084712012-02-01T08:06:00.001-05:002012-02-01T08:10:01.446-05:00

This Shabbat, Shabbat Shira, we find strength and hope in two strong women: the Prophetess Miriam (sister of Moses and Aharon) and the Prophetess AND Judge Deborah. In the former, upon crossing the Sea of Reeds, "Miriam...took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam sang unto them: Sing ye to the LORD..." (Exodus 15:20-21). In the

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-4518878204335063732012-01-31T14:49:00.000-05:002012-01-31T14:49:20.084-05:00

By Gabrielle Birkner Ayelet Galena “With unstoppable tears and broken hearts we regret to announce that last night around 5AM, after hours of fighting and holding on, our precious Ayelet - the heart of our world, the light and strength for so many, could not fight any more.” With those words, Seth and Hindy Poupko Galena announced the January 31 death of their 2-year-old daughter, Ayelet Yakira

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-82560910388703394472012-01-16T08:39:00.000-05:002012-01-16T08:39:02.146-05:00

In 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamt that “…this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: …that all men are created equal." Dr. King’s dream extended beyond healing African-American suffering; his vision was meant to impact and heal society as a whole. In 1895 Theodor Herzl shared a similar vision for Jewish emancipation when he stated that “the world will be liberated

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-46049630396405264412011-08-25T11:01:00.000-04:002011-08-25T11:01:40.898-04:00

This past June we made Aliyah. In less than two months we’ve been thrown into the complex reality that is life in Israel. We’ve mastered the rough seas of bureaucratic processes and citizenship requirements; we’ve found a wonderful neighborhood to live in, schools for our children, employment, and inspiration in the Cottage Cheese Revolution’s transformation to a call for Tzedek Hevrati - Social

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-32515342226590406842011-03-04T12:32:00.001-05:002011-03-07T22:20:37.616-05:00

Imagine this: Jews worldwide put differences aside and embark on a global campaign focusing on the Jewish Homeland, Israel. Is it possible? Yes. Is it necessary? Absolutely. This upcoming Shabbat Shekalim is the first of four distinctive Shabbatot leading to Passover. Its text provides us with a very practical approach to fundraising: equal opportunity investment. Moreover its context, the

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-32063796644335827422011-02-14T11:42:00.000-05:002011-02-14T11:42:49.766-05:00

Having the opportunity to serve as a m'sader kiddushin (a wedding officiant), a sanctifying facilitator, is priceless. The following link: http://vimeo.com/19879729 - is a beautiful reflection of one couple I was fortunate enough to guide on their journey towards unity... Mazel Tov!

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-87998236169870962582011-01-16T09:53:00.001-05:002011-01-16T11:14:40.807-05:00

In 1963 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. dreamt that “…this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: …that all men are created equal." Dr. King’s dream extended beyond healing African-American suffering; his vision was meant to impact and heal society as a whole. In 1895 Theodor Herzl shared a similar vision for Jewish emancipation when he stated that “the world will be

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-7051222853241583912010-09-17T13:00:00.002-04:002010-09-17T13:00:37.638-04:00

The past couple of years were a time of concern and frustration on the part of Jewish leadership, who were in search of “next generation Zionists”. To these leaders I say “fear no more”. 5771 promises to be one of continued renaissance in the Jewish world. The Jewish People need not resign to past achievements to find the courage to confront the challenges of today. Instead, look to creative

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-33575835509189636272010-08-26T11:49:00.005-04:002010-08-26T11:52:58.766-04:00

In the midst of the month of ELUL, the month preceding the High Holy Days; it is during this month that the voice of the Jewish People - Kol Am Yisrael - is heard. Our People’s voice is heard every morning of the month after Shacharit/morning services – through the blasting of the Shofar – the ram’s horn (except for the first and last days of the month to make a clear distinction between

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-87704137902373667242010-04-08T15:16:00.002-04:002010-04-08T15:23:58.926-04:00

Rabbi Leor Sinai of New York City is one of 145 American Jewish representatives who are traveling to Israel to attend the quadrennial World Zionist Congress. A member of Darkhei Noam, Leor has been elected a delegate on behalf of MERCAZ USA, the Zionist organization of the Conservative movement. The 36th World Zionist Congress, set for mid-June, comes 113 years after Theodore Herzl, the founder

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-91872920399184908122010-03-25T17:45:00.000-04:002010-03-25T17:45:13.172-04:00

There are three essential mitzvoth of Passover: the removal of Chametz (made from one of five types of grains – wheat, barley, spelt, rye, & oats – mixed with water), eating Matzah, and telling the story of our ancestor’s liberation.  Of the three mitzvoth, ‘telling the story of our ancestor’s liberation’, may seem unnecessary – isn’t it obvious that we are going to tell the story anyway?  After

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-32655642096098581222009-09-16T13:53:00.000-04:002009-09-16T13:55:01.935-04:00

The Jewish Lens announced today the hiring of Rabbi Leor J. Sinai as its first Executive Director. The Jewish Lens is a non-profit educational organization that uses the photography of Zion Ozeri as a stimulus for exploring Jewish values, identity, and tradition. The ground-breaking curriculum program has been taught in more than 100 educational institutions throughout the U.S. and Israel.Sinai,

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-61790931943626235972009-09-08T09:50:00.002-04:002009-09-08T09:52:48.963-04:00

Tradition teaches us that Moses ascended onto Mount Sinai on the first of Elul, forty days later the People of Israel received the Torah. Throughout these forty days the Israelites' faith was tested, their level of spiritual connectivity and faith weakened by their unanswered cries to Moses and to God - in a way mirroring God's unanswered cries to God's People. It has been a while since I have

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-45097103363725162722009-06-19T10:48:00.003-04:002009-06-19T11:10:29.218-04:00

Send yourself forth.A year ago this week’s Torah portion Sh’lach L’cha (Numbers 13:1) was my younger son, Cahlev Aharon’s Brit Milah. I dedicate these words to him and all of our children as they begin to crawl, walk, and at the blink of an eye – send themselves forth. The Torah portion describes the account of Bnei Yisrael’s, the Children of Israel’s next step forward. At Sinai they already

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-16073124358198648472009-04-08T10:20:00.001-04:002009-04-08T10:21:43.524-04:00

Today, Jews from New York to Jerusalem and across the world, have their eye on the next few hours. It is around this time of the year that we go through old items, consider opportunities, conduct some spring cleaning around the house, and look forward to the changing of the seasons. Pesach, Passover, is on our minds. Our families and friends all gathering, coming together, a time when we all

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-25516193577478562452009-02-18T10:41:00.006-05:002009-05-07T09:47:38.390-04:00

The vision I have of the rabbinate has grown out my diverse upbringing and exposure to Jewish life in the United States and Israel. Judaism and Israel have always played a role in my life and influenced my decision making process. As a child I attended a Hebrew Day school and was involved in other youth group activities. Throughout adulthood these experiences continue to evolve in the course of

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-52393614891423969772009-02-09T10:17:00.001-05:002009-02-09T19:06:03.090-05:00

In the midst of environmental, financial, and political uncertainties - today is Tu B’shvat - the New Year of the Trees.It is a time when vegetation all around is awakening from dormancy, shaking off the dust and beginning to stretch, mother earth is preparing herself for another cycle of creation and life. It’s nothing new, though every year it seems to come “just at the right time”; where the

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-92232975174978653452008-12-31T10:45:00.003-05:002009-09-17T12:51:41.986-04:00

As we enter Day 5 of this battle with Hamas many out there are saying "told you so". Ever since Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, 3 years ago, Hamas has used its authority over the strip to implement their version of law and order over their people, and to stockpile weapons and rockets. Rather than promote co-existence, create life, and provide hope for the Palestinians living under their control -

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-40871047098084387792008-12-05T10:09:00.005-05:002009-02-03T17:19:31.180-05:00

I'd like to share a few lines of Shabbat. Consider reading through them, think about what they mean to you. Perhaps there is one that resonates more then any other?שמור וזכור – Observe & Remember the SabbathMan is a messenger who forgot the message. (Heschel)"Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy." (Exodus 20)The Talmud defines the need for Sabbath candles as "shalom bayit".The road to the

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-25066223763357311542008-11-27T12:45:00.002-05:002009-09-17T12:51:41.987-04:00

As we trace Zionism’s pulse throughout history, from Abraham to this vey point in time, we see that every generation had its Zionist expression.In Genesis 13:17, Abraham is urged to קוּם הִתְהַלֵּךְ בָּאָרֶץ, “Arise and walk the land…”, literally to walk on it. Thousands of years later, pioneers of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s did the same.In the book of Numbers 13:30, upon return from

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-37474983057298759842008-11-25T22:09:00.000-05:002008-11-25T22:10:29.013-05:00

"Anti-Zionism = Anti-Semitism"- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.". . . You declare, my friend, that you do not hate the Jews, you are merely 'anti-Zionist.' And I say, let the truth ring forth from the high mountain tops, let it echo through the valleys of God's green earth: When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews--this is God's own truth."Antisemitism, the hatred of the Jewish people, has been

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-35984788092613270792008-11-11T09:36:00.003-05:002008-11-11T10:42:59.345-05:00

Genesis 18:1-3 "VaYera", and he saw/appeared...וַיֵּרָא אֵלָיו ה' בְּאֵלֹנֵי מַמְרֵא וְהוּא יֹשֵׁב פֶּתַח־הָאֹהֶל כְּחֹם הַיּוֹם: ב וַיִּשָּׂא עֵינָיו וַיַּרְא וְהִנֵּה שְׁלֹשָׁה אֲנָשִׁים נִצָּבִים עָלָיו וַיַּרְא וַיָּרָץ לִקְרָאתָם מִפֶּתַח הָאֹהֶל וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ אָרְצָה: ג וַיֹּאמַר אֲדֹנָי אִם־נָא מָצָאתִי חֵן בְּעֵינֶיךָ אַל־נָא תַעֲבֹר מֵעַל עַבְדֶּךָ:1. And the Lord appeared to him in the

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-35170938411083437452008-11-04T07:28:00.001-05:002008-11-04T07:29:26.957-05:00

I remember the first time it hit me, the value and fragility of Klal Yisrael, Jewish Peoplehood. It was the assassination of Yitzchak Rabin (zl’) in 1995; I was studying at Haifa University. Jews from Israel to North America and around the world reacted to the assassination in shock and grief. No one knew what would be next. Soon enough questions were asked: Who did it? Was it an Arab? A Jew?

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-2020298552486497442008-11-03T17:28:00.004-05:002008-11-03T18:11:42.167-05:00

Remember the first time you left your home, your family, and everything that was familiar to you? Perhaps it was college? Or simply moving on as is symbolic of growth and maturity? It may of not been an easy move, though in hindsight we all admit the great value of moving on, moving forward.In this week’s Torah portion our forefather, Abraham, experiences a life altering moment we can relate to.

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-82286314092505481082008-10-13T08:03:00.002-04:002008-10-13T08:03:56.016-04:00

Friends,We just finished off the High Holy Day Marathon, prayed, cried, laughed, reflected, ate, fasted and of course repented... Are we done yet? Think again, Sukkot is upon us. One of three festivals (Passover & Shavuot), reflecting historical, agricultural, and mystical significance. Rabbi Eliezer explains that the Sukkah mentioned in the Torah, the Bible, (Leviticus 23:43) were Ananei

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-43774825345430088992008-10-12T15:42:00.007-04:002008-10-13T07:45:50.365-04:00

The times are a changing, economies tumbling here in the U.S. and around the world, geo-political movements, Iran, Iraq, Russia, wars in Africa, Darfur, Genocide, environmental crises, the changing heads of state both here in the U.S. and in Israel, and much much more.So great are these events in our society, that we may often feel as though they are beyond our reach, it is all out of our hands -

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-30159670743416894222008-09-29T15:54:00.003-04:002008-09-29T16:11:23.235-04:00

Shalom,As we reflect and prepare for our entry into another space and time, I would like to share with you some of my reflections. The only references to this period of judgment we are entering is found in Leviticus 23:23, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall you have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of horns, a holy gathering.” and

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-88242014662126757202008-09-01T14:10:00.000-04:002008-09-01T14:30:25.438-04:00

Shalom friends,This week I had the priviledge of traveling to Poland with a good friend from the age of 5 (or so), Gil Weisblum. His father is a Holocaust survivor. Gil traveled with his family on a trip to Poland 15 years ago and saw “all that was needed to be seen”; his father’s village, the concentration camps, etc… Yet there was one stop he didn’t make, it was to his ancestor’s grave in

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-312430477298923151.post-21127596165509164522008-08-27T13:14:00.000-04:002008-09-01T14:31:18.414-04:00

JTS profiled me for their website. Check it out at http://www.jtsa.edu/x10636.xml

Leor Sinaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18118796771102849497noreply@blogger.com0