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

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	Tikvat Israel Congregation 2200 Baltimore Road · Rockville, Maryland 20851 Phone: (301) 762-7338 · Fax: (301) 424-4399 · Send us an email!
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