News & Events
The New Year 5786 Comes
September 17, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
On a Monday evening, September 22nd, Erev Rosh Hashanah summons us to begin the Jewish New Year 5786. We’ll gather at Congregation Beth
Give Peace a Chance
September 3, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
In Judaism, we are known as a treasured people, a holy people, even a stiff-necked people, but we’re also called rodef shalom, a
Israel, Still Complicated
August 27, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
Two words can sum up the history of our people, “It’s complicated.” That’s it! Speaking to us before October 7th, our Israeli tour
To Honor Oneself and One’s Parents
August 20, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
An early morning flight and a weekend away to support my mother’s healing was not the way I planned to end my summer
Peace and then Justice
August 13, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
Last week, the CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis), URJ (Union for Reform Judaism), and the ACC (American Conference of Cantors) published a
For Israel and All God’s Children
July 30, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
Dear Beth Israel Friends, As of this writing, the tragedy of October 7, 2023, has persisted for 661 days and counting. In that
Edited Times
July 23, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
We live in edited times. We edit our pictures and videos; we erase backgrounds and people who mar a better image; and we
Do, Love, Walk
July 16, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
The Prophet Micah said to the Israelites, “Remember what Balak, king of Moab, plotted against You, and how Balaam responded to him, and
America’s Day
July 2, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
I remember America’s bicentennial birthday on July 4, 1976. It was a year of over-the-top red, white, and blue clothes and banners, flag-themed
Power Failures
June 25, 2025
From the Rabbi David Lyon
In Torah, even a single word can capture the attention of commentators. In this week’s portion, Korach (Numbers 16), the first verse begins,