Parashat Bereshit: the creative power of words
Words can hurt us because they contain enormous power. For the same reason, they can also inspire, uplift, and enlighten us. They can even create something out of nothing. We…
Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell
Proudly Jewish - Proudly Progressive
Rabbi Adrian Michael Schell
Proudly Jewish - Proudly Progressive
Yom Kippur is a day full of hope and joy
Yom Kippur isn’t an easy day. Not because of the fasting. What isn’t easy is the affliction of the soul, the practice of going deeply into ourselves and revealing our…
Shanah Tovah
Message from the Rabbi This Shabbat is a time of endings and new beginnings: It is the last Shabbat of 5776, Jessica’s Bat Mitzvah, and the Torah cycle is nearly…
What South African Progressive Jews have to say about Progressive Identity
In time for the High Holy Days the newest issue of the SAAPR Journal has been published. The journal collects contributions from Monica Solomon, Rabbi Schell, Prof Bilchitz, Merle Williams, Rabbi Alexander,…
Parashat Ki Tavo: I forgive you as you forgive me
Only 10 more days until we celebrate the beginning of the New Jewish Year 5777. As mentioned in previous weeks, during this ‘season’ of the year, all of us are…
Parashat Ki Teitzei: Remember Amalek!
Our parasha ends with the commandment to remember. We are asked to remember what Amalek did to us. Amalek is in Jewish tradition the sworn enemy who attacked the Israelites…
Parashat Shoftim: How am I to face God on Rosh Hashanah?
We stand only three weeks away from the Jewish New Year, thoughts of Teshuva beginning to confront us: What should I concentrate on this year? How am I to face…
Rosh Chodesh Elul: Not fear, but love!
This coming Shabbat is also the beginning of a new Month. It is the last month of the Jewish year, the last one before the High Holy Days. According to…
Parashat Eikev: The impact of words after acts of terror
The Haftarah readings on Shabbat between Tisha B’Av and Rosh Hashana are referred to as the 7 haftarot of comfort. But, comfort is often hard to come by. This week’s…
Parashat Va’et-chanan: Impress them upon your children
Our Torah Portion for this week, Parashat Va’et-chanan, is for sure the most cited section of the Torah in Jewish tradition, as it contains the Sh’ma Israel, the fundamental declaration…