Isra-el: Struggling with Purpose – An Educational Framework

By Leor Sinai | April 21, 2025

Key aspects of this new framework include: The article frames this approach as “new-old” – drawing from ancient traditions and…

A Passover Letter: From Sinai to Zion

By Leor Sinai | April 6, 2025

As we prepare for this year’s Passover Seder, we reflect on the profound journey from slavery to freedom that defines…

Am Yisrael Chai: It’s not a slogan, it is a way of life

By Leor Sinai | December 25, 2024

I remember growing up as a kid in Brooklyn singing the Am Yisrael Chai chant, we’d sing it with great…

Tikun Israel precedes Tikun Olam

By Leor Sinai | October 14, 2024

A New-Old Approach At this very moment Am Yisrael finds itself at an intersection of existential proportions. October 7th, 2023…

Tough Decisions…

By Leor Sinai | September 8, 2009 |

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…

Sh’lach L’cha (Numbers 13:1)

By Leor Sinai | June 19, 2009 |

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…

A time for reflective liberation – Happy Passover!

By Leor Sinai | April 8, 2009 |

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…

Self Reflection

By Leor Sinai | February 18, 2009 |

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…

Happy Tu B’shvat – 5769

By Leor Sinai | February 9, 2009 |

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…

All Israel is responsible, one for the other

By Leor Sinai | December 31, 2008 |

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…