Rabbi Matalon Featured on Sinai Live

Rabbi Roly Matalon has joined the world-class rabbis and teachers showcased on Sinai Live. Rabbi Matalon leads one of the most successful synagogues in the United States--Congregation B'nai Jeshurun which has become a world-wide model.
Watch the Rabbi's inspiring words at Sinai Live or click below for Connecting Moments. Must see TV. Classic Jewish wisdom at its best.

To understand Rabbi Matalon's synagogue read below or visit B'nai Jeshurun website.


Creating a Holy Community

B'nai Jeshurun is a Jewish community built on the belief that we must strive to be a kehillah kedoshah, a holy community. Our mission is to inspire and require. We seek to inspire the search for meaning in our lives and the quest for a measure of sanctity in the midst of so much secularity.

But inspiration alone is not enough. Without requirement, the individual cannot be enriched and the community cannot be strengthened. We ask that each member of BJ commit him or herself to engaging in study that is probing and relevant, prayer with true intention, observance that is meaningful and acts of loving kindness that bring us closer to the repair of the world.

Our teacher Rabbi Marshall T. Meyer wrote the following vision of a synagogue shortly after taking over the leadership of B'nai Jeshurun in 1985:

"Congregation B'nai Jeshurun believes that a community synagogue which responds to the authentic questions of life, death, love, anxiety, longing and the search for meaning can, once again, attract Jews – families and individuals – if it is willing to grapple with the great issues of life."

We are a community of questioners. Please join us as we continue to search for increasingly more meaningful ways to serve each other, our community, our world and God.

Further Thoughts on Av-- Rabbi DovBer Pinson

The Month of Av is in full force as we commemorate the temple destruction. Rebbetzin Jungreis provided insightful comments on the month in the prior entry and in her new blog Jungreis Legacy which was launched last week. To offer an additional perspective, please watch Rabbi DovBer Pinson speak about the negative and positive forces which surround the month of Av. This video offers advice on how to avoid destructive situations through better use of our senses.

Month of Av

To close out the 5769 year, we are back to highlight world-class teachers and learning opportunities. The focus will continue to highlight the great teachers of Sinai Live and events in NYC. For the coming year, we are directing our attention to expanding the teaching on Sinai Live and also to promote other websites and organization that are offering world-class teaching. We are also working with the Jungreis Legacy Blog which will focus on the one-of-a-kind insights from Rebbetzin Jungreis. Hineni's impact is phenomenal in the Jewish community.It is all done with a limited staff. Here is an excerpt from Friday's post and is followed by Rebbetzin's Sinai Live video on the month of Av.

Month of Mourning, Month of Father
Every month has a message. It would seem that the message of the month of Av is suffering, fear, anti-semitism, and Jewish persecution. Rosh Chodesh Av is approaching and the feelings of fear throughout the Jewish Nation are tangible; from the heartbreaking situation in Israel, our Holy Land, to the rising Anti-Semitic attacks throughout the world.

The most memorable date this month is Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av, on which we fast and mourn the destruction of both Holy Temples. This auspicious time period has been filled with tragic events throughout history; such as the Spanish Expulsion in 1492, pogroms, and the beginning of WWI.

These events took place centuries apart! Like everything else in our life, it is clearly a message from Hashem. What is this message that we have not internalized over the past 2,000 years? Watch Rebbetzin's compelling video below on the Month of Av.

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