Up Your Game - Chronicle Online/The WORD 05/07/2026

Weekly On-line Rabbi's D'var-Torah

May 7, 2026

22 Iyar 5786

Parashat Behar-Bechukotai

This spring, I’ve had the privilege of watching the Summit High School softball team’s incredible season. They’ve been ranked as high as third in the state, and last week, NJ.com called them the best public-school team in New Jersey. Now, it’s on to the county and state tournaments.

Just last week, I was cheering on the team at Memorial Field when a father with an elementary-school-aged daughter came to watch as well. As a young softball player herself, the girl was in awe of the older players’ strength, speed, and skill. Her father simply remarked that it looked like a completely different game from the one his daughter plays.

And it’s true.

Anyone who has watched a child progress from little league all the way up to varsity or college knows that there comes a point when the kids actually become proficient at their sport. Not everyone sticks with it all the way through. But for those who do, they eventually begin playing the game at a level that is entertaining whether your child is on the field or not. I certainly follow the games because my daughter is on the team, but I would enjoy watching them even if she weren’t.

After that sideline conversation with a younger dad, it occurred to me that the same thing is true about religion.

There’s the Judaism we learn and practice as young children, and then there’s the Judaism of adulthood. It is clearly the same tradition, but there is so much more to Judaism than what we can absorb as children. However, just like with sports, not everyone continues their Jewish learning throughout life. After all, life has a way of getting in the way.

If you are interested in upping your Jewish game, please know that we have many opportunities for you to do so. In just a few weeks, we will be starting a new adult bar/bat mitzvah class. If—for whatever reason—you did not become a bar or bat mitzvah at 13, here is an opportunity to have this foundational Jewish experience as an adult, when you may appreciate it even more.

This is in addition to our other learning opportunities: weekly Bible study, weekly Talmud class, weekly Torah reading class, Men’s Club Scotch & Siddur, Women’s Group Wine & Wisdom, our monthly Lunch & Learn series, Artist-in-Residence programs, and more.

I love watching our children learn in the ELC and JLC, and I believe we give them a fantastic foundation for a future Jewish life. But when adults take their Judaism to the next level through serious study, it is even more beautiful.

So please reach out to me about your plan to up your Jewish game. I’d love to help.

Shalom,

RAF.