Beth El in the News

Here are some news articles about Congregation Beth El. If you know of others, please let us know — email Alice Waugh.

“Vayishlach: We Need Stories to Counter the Narrative of Endless War”
T’ruah, November 2023
In a d’var Torah on Parshat Vayishlach, Rabbi Breindel notes that “in the aftermath of Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7, we must ensure that their single story of permanent war against Israel is not the only story told. We need a counter to the narrative that the cycle of violence between Jacob and Esau…can never be broken.”

“Palestinian Flag’s Critics Overlook the People It Represents” (click here for PDF)
Boston Globe, Nov. 20, 2023
In this letter to the editor, Cantor Vera Broekhuysen corrects those who equate the Palestinian flag with Hamas. 

WCBV-TV aired a piece on Pop-Up Israel on October 14. Click the image above to watch it.

“Sudbury, Mass., Supports Israeli Teenagers Amid War in Israel”
WVCB-TV, October 13, 2023
At Beth El’s Pop-up Israel community event, Israeli students and teachers visiting as part of Project HiBuR share home-made Israeli food with Beth El — which turns out in force to show their support after the recent Hamas attacks.

• • More photos
  • HiBuR blog: October 2023

“Metrowest Jewish Rabbis Worried About Israel after Hamas Attacks: ‘It’s Attacking Us‘”
MetroWest Daily News, Oct. 10, 2023
Rabbi Josh Breindel says it’s a time to reflect on the Hebrew saying — “Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh,” which means “all of Israel are responsible for one another.”

“Earth Etude for 28 Elul 5783”
Jewcology, Sept. 13, 2023
“The month of Elul is a critical moment for us to consider how the call to teshuvah [returning or repentance] challenges us to engage meaningfully in the face of climate change,” Rabbi Joshua Breindel says. “The Rabbis tell us that we must not spoil the earth… We must recommit ourselves to being good stewards of the earth, lest there be none to repair our world after us.”

“The Temple of Zoom”
Tablet Magazine, Sept. 6, 2023
Organizations including synagogues have resumed most of their in-person activities. But Beth El Rabbi Joshua Breindel and others explain why Zoom and live-streaming services and other events will stay on as options — since it actually boosts overall participation and inclusivity.

“Tenets of Judaism Combine with MLK’s Legacy in Bread Baking and Furniture Making”
The service event in cooperation with Temple Beth Am gives Jewish youth a chance to see how their actions can help others.
Boston Globe, Jan. 15, 2023

“‘You Will Always Have a Place in Our Hearts’: Beloved Cantor in Sudbury is Retiring”
Metrowest Daily News, Sept. 16, 2021

“Photos: Congregation Beth El Celebrates New Rabbi”
Sudbury Town Crier, Dec. 17, 2018

“Rabbi Thomas at Beth El Retires After 17 Years”
Sudbury Town Crier, June 13, 2018

“The Unusual Second Career of Rabbi Lawrence Kushner”
Boston Globe, November 7, 2013

“Haifa Students Visit Sudbury Synagogue”
Metrowest Daily News, Oct. 21, 2011

“Israeli Teens See How American Jews Live Their Faith”
Evening Tribune, Oct. 15, 2009

“Making Connections: Israeli Teens Learn About Judaism in America”
Milford Daily News, Oct. 7, 2007

“Congregation’s Pledge to Help Dying Man Presents Moral Test”
Wall Street Journal, July 26, 2002

Mark died of Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy in 2006 at age 51, living many decades beyond his life expectancy. Beth El provided financial support to him until the end of his life.

“A Conversation with Lawrence Kushner”
Kerem.org, 1999