Tikvat Israel Congregation. Dedicated to The Jewish People, The Jewish Faith, The Jewish Future.

This Week's Services

Services for Kids

Shabbat


Divrei Torah


Machzor Lev Shalem


Shavuot
5770/2010

Pesach
5770/2010

Purim
5770/2010

Sukkot
Shemini Atzeret
Simchat Torah
5770/2009

High Holidays
5770/2009

Tisha B'Av
5769/2009

Tzom Tammuz
5769/2009

Divrei Torah - from our lay membership

A hallmark of our synagogue is the number of congregants who take an active role in services. Besides chanting Torah or Haftarah, members may prepare and deliver a D'var Torah, or commentary on the weekly parashah.

Divrei Torah are often given by congregants when the rabbi is out of town or to commemorate a special occasion. For many congregants, giving a D'var Torah is an opportunity to personally grapple with the meaning and mystery of the Torah.

This section contains a sample of Divrei Torah presented by congregants since the start of 2006. Not included here are congregant talks of a more secular nature, also given from time to time.

Anyone interested in giving a D'var Torah should contact Rabbi Gorin. For those with no previous experience, instruction is given periodically by Debby Berlyne. Contact her to learn more.


Follow the links below to read transcripts of our congregant-given Divrei Torah:

  • Kate Jennes-Kahn : - Given on Apr 5, 2010
  • Irv Cohen Fifth Day of Passover: - Given on Apr 3, 2010
  • Susan Brannigan Adult Bat Mitzvah: Beauty in Judaism - Given on Nov 14, 2009
  • Debby Berlyne Shabbat Nachamu: Giving and Receiving Comfort - Given on Aug 1, 2009
  • Joel Bressler 62nd anniversary of my bar mitzvah: My second bar mitzvah speech - Given on Dec 6, 2008
  • Samuel M. Gilston 50th Anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah: D'var Torah on Parashah "Toledot" - Given on Nov 29, 2008
  • Debby Berlyne : Parshat Masei - Given on Aug 2, 2008
  • Clifford S. Fishman Honoring the 40th anniversary of Betty & Cliff's Wedding: Shabbat Korah - Given on Jun 28, 2008
  • Shirley Waxman Parashah Tetzaveh: The Garment of the High Priest - Given on Feb 16, 2008
  • Clifford S. Fishman On the 50th Anniversary of his Bar Mitzvah: Shabbat Va-era, Sh'mot 6:2 et seq. - Given on Jan 5, 2008
  • Robert Katz, Ph.D. Dvar Torah on Parashah Hukkat: Can Religion and Neuroscience Coexist? - Given on Jun 23, 2007
  • Stephen M. Raucher D'var Torah on Parashah Korach: - Given on Jun 16, 2007
  • Neil Newman Interfaith Yom Hashoah Remembrance Service - Silver Spring Presbyterian Church: Bystanders During the Holocaust - Given on Apr 22, 2007
  • Naomi Sully Interfaith Yom Hashoah Remembrance Service - Silver Spring Presbyterian Church: Darfur- No More Denial, No More Bystanders - Given on Apr 22, 2007
  • Arlene Berger D'var Torah on Shabbat Shemini: Counting the Omer - Given on Apr 14, 2007
  • Janaki Kuruppu Drash Given on the Seventh Day of Passover: - Given on Apr 9, 2007
  • Naomi Sully Drash Given on the Second Day of Passover: - Given on Apr 4, 2007
  • Robert Agus Drash Given on the First Day of Passover: Preparation for Pesach: The Role of Chometz - Given on Apr 3, 2007
  • Rabbi Alana Suskin D'var Torah on Parashah Tzav: Tze u'lmad - Given on Mar 31, 2007
  • Gedaliah Knizhnik Dvar Torah on Parashah "Vayakhel/Pekudei": - Given on Mar 17, 2007
  • Sam Freedenberg D'var Torah on Parashah T'tzaveh: Kindling the Lamp...and Stepping Away - Given on Mar 3, 2007
  • Clifford S. Fishman Shabbat T'Shuva: Reflections on the High Holiday Liturgy - Given on Sep 30, 2006
  • Irv Cohen Dvar Torah On Parashah "Mishpatim": - Given on Feb 25, 2006
  • Regina Carmel Dvar Torah on Parashah "Beshellach": - Given on Feb 11, 2006