January 9, 2026 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Shemot 5786 (2025) Exodus 1:1-6:1; Isaiah 27:6-28:13, 29:22-23. Shemot, the name of this Torah portion refers to the name of the Book of Exodus in Hebrew “names.” The book starts with all the...
January 2, 2026 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Vayechi 5786 (2025) Genesis 47:28-50:26; 1. Kings 2:1-12. Vayechi, the name of this Torah portion means “and he lived” and it refers to Jacob living in Egypt. It is really the end of the story of...
December 31, 2025 – HRA18 In January, Bill Beard would have turned 95. Instead, this week we pause to honor a life marked not by headlines or accolades, but by quiet, faithful witness, week after week, stone by stone, name by name. Bill Beard was a devoted...
December 26, 2025 – HRA18 In this week’s Torah portion, Vayigash — “And he approached” — we arrive at the emotional climax of the Joseph narrative. After years of separation, pain, and longing, Judah steps forward on...
December 17, 2025 – HRA18 On December 14, we gathered for a joint Jewish–Christian celebration of Hanukkah on the Green at Kings Harbor, followed by a Twilight Tour of the Holocaust Garden of Hope. It was a deeply moving evening—marked by light,...
December 16, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Looking back at 2025, we can clearly identify antisemitism as the dominating social force. Following the attack by Hamas on October 7th, 2023, the world started a new season. Since WWII, the world has not experienced...
