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Chanukah arrives this year at a moment when many are feeling the weight of darkness. Around the world, Jews are facing a rise in antisemitism. Since October 7, 2023 and throughout the war that followed, our community and others have carried grief, fear, anger, and exhaustion. And yet, right in the middle of the darkest weeks of the year, Judaism gives us a festival built entirely around light. Chanukah is not only about resistance to tyrants. It is also about the upside of J

With the close of 2025 upon us and the dawn of the new year on the horizon I would like to share a couple of ideas that could help you with Giving and tax planning. The first idea is a  Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD). A   QCD allows you to pay your TKC dues or Giving directly from your IRA, reducing your taxable income while supporting a cause you care about. It’s a powerful tool for both Giving and tax efficiency . What Is a QCD? A Qualified Charitable Distribution

This D’var Torah explores the themes of Toledot through the lens of Thanksgiving: how gratitude creates abundance, how Isaac’s family struggles with a mindset of scarcity, and how the wells of Rechovot offer a vision of spaciousness and blessing. Immediately following the teaching, Kyra shares a beautiful rendition of “Teach Your Children,” adding another layer of reflection on legacy, hope, and the world we pass on to the next generation.

When the rains finally stop, what comes next? In Parashat Noach, a rainbow becomes God’s promise of renewal after devastation. In this sermon, Rabbi Jason Holtz explores how that ancient symbol of hope still speaks to us today—through faith, resilience, and the longing for something “over the rainbow.” Featuring a moving rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” performed by Kyra, this video blends timeless Torah wisdom with the power of music and community.

The world can feel like it’s flooding — with noise, pressure, and confusion. Parashat Noach reminds us that we can’t always stop the waters, but we can build our own arks: spaces of steadiness, purpose, and faith amid the chaos.

A few days ago, our sukkah partially blew over. I noticed it from our kitchen window one morning, getting breakfast ready.  The wooden beams across the roof, the roof itself, and one of the walls collapsed. It happened overnight, when the wind picked up. By morning, it looked like our Sukkot would have had a sukkah for just the first half.   Our sukkah was reduced to just a tangle of poles and fabric on the ground. But less than an hour later, it was standing again. Actually,

Just because something is temporary, doesn't mean it isn't holy.

I want to take this opportunity to reflect upon how special this year’s High Holiday season was.  Not only were the services meaningful...

Don’t Miss Simchat Torah We have just completed the awe-filled journey of the High Holy Days — days of reflection, return, and renewal....

Yom Kippur is sometimes described as a day of letting go—of sins, grudges, mistakes, and regrets. But before we can let go, we must first recognize what we are carrying.

Rosh Hashanah morning is when I usually talk about the worldly events that shape our lives and our Jewish story. This year, the state of...

When I became a bar mitzvah, most people who knew me probably would have said I was the kid least likely to become a rabbi later on. My...

By Rabbi Jason Holtz August is here, and many of us are starting to return: from summer vacations, from slower days, from time spent with...

Although you have heard from me in the past, today I write in my new role as Chairman of the re-formed TKC Religious Life and Practices...

In less than 3 months, our membership has raised almost half of the $150,000 toward the Capital Campaign!  Our new roof has been paid for...

When I began rabbinical school twenty years ago, the concerns most synagogues faced were about how to stay relevant, how to connect...

The Torah asks two things of us on Passover that are in tension with each other.  The first is “ v’samachta b’chagecha - You shall...

Thank you to everyone who either attended our recent meeting to kick-off the Capital Campaign, who has reached out to offer assistance,...

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and a Happy New Year, spent with your loved ones.  As we kick off 2025, I wanted to take...

As of the time of my writing this, seven hostages have been released:  I hope and pray they are just the beginning.  Many more hostages...