Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on how we remember—through technology, artefacts, rituals, and our senses—and how Jewish tradition transforms memory into an active, living experience. From counting the Omer to reciting Yizkor, she explores the ways we preserve the presence of loved ones who are no longer with us, not just with words, but through action, sound, taste, and touch. True remembrance, she reminds us, means not just going through the motions, but going through the memories.

Excerpt from morning services. June 3, 2025, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto, Canada.

Professor Benjamin Sommer explores a pivotal idea in this week’s Torah reading: that God’s law, though sacred and foundational, is not static—it evolves through dialogue with the people. Through examples in Leviticus and Numbers, he demonstrates that even in the Torah itself, questions, challenges, and suggestions lead to clarification, refinement, and amendment of the law. This spirit of sacred conversation, he argues, is at the heart of Conservative Judaism: a tradition rooted in obligation, but responsive to change—where questioning is not rebellion, but reverence.

Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. May 17, 2025, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto, Canada.

Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin reflects on the emotional and halachic dynamics of the parent-child relationship, drawing from the fifth commandment and personal anecdotes. She reminds us that while love is often felt, Jewish tradition commands action—honour, care, and responsibility—especially as parents age. In Judaism, showing up matters more than saying “I love you,” and true honour is measured not in sentiment, but in support.
Excerpt from Shabbat morning services. May 10, 2025, Beth Tzedec Congregation, Toronto, Canada.