Stories that Shine – The Journey of Faith, Blessing, and Repentance

by | | Dr. Kokkonen Blogs, Torah Portion

October 31, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Lech Lecha 5786 (2025)  Genesis 12:1-17:27; Isaiah 40:27-41:16    Lech Lecha, the name of this Torah portion contains a powerful lesson. It refers to Abram’s call. This is a familiar story to...

Stories that Shine – Lessons from the Days of Noah and the Righteous Who Chose to Act

by | | Dr. Kokkonen Blogs, Torah Portion

October 24, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Noach 5786 (2025)   Genesis 6:9-11:32; Isaiah 54:1-10    Noach, the name of this Torah portion refers to a righteous man called Noah. This is a very familiar story to many of us. We may feel that it...

Stories that Shine – From Chaos to Light—Lessons of Creation, the Holocaust, and Renewal

by | | Dr. Kokkonen Blogs, Torah Portion

October 17, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Bereshit 5786 (2025)  Genesis 1:1-6:8; Isaiah 42:5-21    Bereshit, the name of this Torah portion means “in the beginning.” This refers to the very beginning of the Bible. It is the first...

Stories that Shine – Sukkot: Remembering Faith, Fragility, and the Promise of God’s Protection

by | | Dr. Kokkonen Blogs, Torah Portion

October 10, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Sukkot 5786 (2025)  Numbers 29:26-34    Sukkot, the name of this Torah portion means “booths.” This refers to the Feast of Tabernacles.  Between Rosh Hashanah, the new year (also...

Stories that Shine – Listening to God’s Covenant and Lessons from Warsaw Ghetto

by | | Dr. Kokkonen Blogs, Torah Portion

October 3, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Ha’azinu 5785 (2025)  Deuteronomy 32:1-52 (Haftarah: Samuel 2:1-51)   Ha’azinu, the name of this Torah portion means “listen.”  “Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;...

Stories that Shine – Return, Forgiveness, and God’s Enduring Faithfulness

by | | Dr. Kokkonen Blogs, Torah Portion

September 25, 2025 – Dr. Susanna Kokkonen Vayelech 5786 (2025)  Deuteronomy 31:1-30 (Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20)     Vayelech, the name of this Torah portion means “he went (out).”  “Then Moses went out...