Michael Hafter’s Hatan Torah Speech 5786
I grew up in a little town in New Jersey called Hammonton, which is known for blueberries — and for being the most Italian town in the country. There was a small synagogue — ninety seats. At its peak, the Jewish community in Hammonton was about twenty-four families. When my family moved there, in 1965, […]
Susan Berman’s Kallat Bereshit Speech 5786
I have tried many times to reject Judaism, but I have always been pulled back in. The first time was when I was in 10th or 11th grade, at Temple Sinai in Marblehead, Massachusetts – a seacoast town about 20 miles north of Boston. It’s a conservative synagogue – a right wing conservative synagogue. I […]
Libby Cone’s Kallat Bereshit Speech 5785
You probably have heard me, when making the blessing when called to the Torah, identifying myself as “Bat Avraham v’Sarah,” though you know I am not a convert. It’s because my Jewish journey was somewhat sparse and complicated until I got married. As an infant, I was adopted by a paranoid schizophrenic mother and a […]
Brian Mono’s Hatan Torah Speech 5785
Shabbat shalom! I want to begin my remarks by thanking the past recipients of the Hatan Torah and Kallat Bereshit for honoring me with this award. I’ve worked closely with many of you, and I’m not sure I’ve done enough yet to be included within your ranks. Thank you, Harry, for the wonderful introduction. I […]