Rabbi Knopf's Blog

A few weeks ago, I completed my sixth year as a rabbi. As I look ahead to the next stage of my professional life, I find myself reflecting on the wisdom I’ve gained on my journey so far. Much like I did when I finished my third year as a rabbi, I’ve taken the opportunity to write down some of things that I have learned during this time of my life. I hope you will find some of these reflections meaningful, and...Read more...

Thank you for participating in our community Seder on Tuesday. Our special guests - refugee families living in Richmond - felt welcomed by our congregation. We learned from the refugees and Reestablish Richmond that the most pressing need is jobs. There are many educated and experienced refugees: computer techs, procurement experts, human resource experts, journalists, engineers, stonecutters, bricklayers, builders,...Read more...

Temple Beth-El

a message from Rabbi Knopf

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The practice of giving wheat and/or flour to the poor beginning a month before Passover was so prevalent in some Jewish communities that people in need became hooked on it. But rather than calling for an end to the practice - support an addiction to welfare?! - Jewish law doubles down, teaching that the dependency exacerbates both the need for aid and the community's responsibility. It is a sin to avert one's eyes from the suffering of the...Read more...

Alongside the tradition of reviewing Passover's laws 30 days before the festival is the custom of buying wheat or flour for the poor so that they too can enjoy the holiday. Having the time and resources that enable extra study is privilege, and, if Passover teaches nothing else, it's that privilege demands responsibility for those less fortunate.

Tradition teaches that one should begin reviewing the laws of Passover 30 days before the holiday. The thing most likely to lead us astray is ignorance. True of ritual observance, and also of life. What we don't know can hurt us, and can cause us to hurt others. Let us be aware of our unawareness and earnest in our striving to reveal the concealed.

Earlier this month, I was privileged to attend a three-day conference convened by T’ruah, an organization of rabbis fighting for human rights in the U.S. and beyond. I joined with fellow rabbis from all over the country and across the denominational spectrum for learning, prayer, fellowship and training in Jewish social activism.

T’ruah organized the conference in the wake of the presidential election. The incoming...Read more...

Dear friends,

Many of you have no doubt heard of the despicable act of vandalism that occurred at a Jewish cemetery in St. Louis.  In troubling times like these,  it's encouraging to know that the Jewish community has many allies. Indeed, in the wake of the St. Louis incident, the Muslim community raised over $40,000 in under 48 hours (see press release below).  I am grateful for their steadfast friendship and support,  and I'm...Read more...

Dear friends,

The Islamic Center of Virginia, Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, and Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy invite the community to a gathering of unity and solidarity on Sunday, February 5 at 3:30pm at the Islamic Center of Virginia (1241 Buford Road, Richmond). 

The program will feature speakers, testimonies, and calls to action, including the participation of Hazzan Marian. Note that...Read more...

Parashat Shemot, January 20, 20171

Today, Adira is joining thousands of others in Washington, DC - including Hazzan Marian and our Director of Youth Learning, Ramona Brand, along with many other Temple Beth-El congregants - for the Women’s March on Washington. For those who don’t know much about the event, it is a grassroots march for human rights, dignity, and justice for all. It was organized in the wake of a...Read more...