Torah

Here you can read the collected teachings (drasha, d’var Torah), speeches and articles by our rabbi, student rabbi member, and associated friends and supporters of Sim Shalom worldwide.

Joyful Adult Bat Mitzvah Ceremony at Sim Shalom

‍‍February 17, 2014 - 17 Adar I 5774

On January 11, 2014, our congregation had a joyful and moving ceremony once again, when Isabelle Menczer, 21, became a Bat Mitzvah. Isabelle has been an active member of our community for three years now, a teacher of the Talmud Torah, and head of the youth group. You can read a lot more about her connection to […]

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A Jewish Ritual That Heals – Drasha by Rabbi Kelemen in the online publication series “Torah from Around the World”

‍‍July 25, 2013 - 18 Av 5773

In the online publication series “Torah from Around the World”, this week’s drasha is by Rabbi Katalin Kelemen about Parashat Ekev (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25) under the title “A Jewish Ritual That Heals – ‘When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless…’”. Read the drasha below. A Jewish Ritual That Heals – Parashat Ekev (Deuteronomy […]

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God’s “self-realization”: Rosh Hashanah Sermon, 5772, by Rabbi Katalin Kelemen

‍‍October 30, 2011 - 2 Heshwan 5772

What are the possible areas for God’s “self-realization”? The first is our personal relationship with Him, and the other is our existence as a community.

Judaism is generally defined as a communal religion. God’s holiness (kadosh) is reflected in the ancient term still used today for Jewish religious communities: kehila k’dosha means holy congregation.

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D’var Torah on Parshat Ki Tavo from Hungarian Reform Rabbi Ferenc Raj

‍‍September 18, 2011 - 19 Elul 5771

This article was taken from WUPJ newsletter/website. Rabbi Raj is founding rabbi of our sister community in Budapest, called Bet Orim.
For more about the history of Reform/Progressive movement in Hungary and specifically Sim Shalom’s role, please read our History page!

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D’var Torah by Rabbi Fred Morgan on Parashat Shoftim

‍‍August 18, 2011 - 18 Av 5771

Rabbi Morgan was an early supporter of Sim Shalom spending time in Budapest in the early ’90s, at the time when he was based in NWSS Weybridge, UK. He was also personal mentor of our rabbi Katalin Kelemen in Leo Baeck College Rabbinical Seminary. We were happy to host him and his wife Sue again in our Raday synagogue this summer when they were spending Sabbatical in Europe and Israel.

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Student Rabbi Peter Radvanszki’s Speech in Finchley Progressive Synagogue

‍‍February 12, 2011 - 8 Adar I 5771

Sometimes we learn the most from unexpected encounters. Not a long time ago, I met someone in Budapest, who was a member of a Jewish community. Let’s call him Jonathan. People looked at him strangely, because he had certain social behavioural problems. He dressed as a homeless person, well, I can tell you, he sometimes […]

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