In the torah portion of Terumah, the theme of equal access to all is continued. God is not to be found only in the Heavens, instead, God says 'build for Me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell in your midst." Judaism is the religion of close contact between humankind and the holy. Let us continue to build a world that is worthy of God to dwell in.

In this week's parsha of Mishpatim the Israelites say to God "naaseh ve'nishmah" - all that you say we will do and we will hear." This proclamation of faith and support demonstrates the necessity for hope and belief even when one does not yet know all of the details for what is to come.

In this week's parsha of Yitro, God descends to Mt Sinai in a thick murky cloud to give the people the 10 commandments. While the Israelites keep a safe distance, Moses steps into the fog to meet God. This is what we must to.. embrace mystery or miss out on the whole thing.

In the torah portion of Beshalach, the Israelites finally escape from Egypt and make their way to the Promised Land. As they roam through the desert they begin to complain of hunger. They are given manna. Soon they will complain about that as well. What does their story teach us about a positive outlook and when we have it?

In this week's torah portion of Bo we find the final 3 of the 10 plagues against the Egyptians. We also find the very first commandment given to the Israelites - that they must mark each new moon, Rosh Chodesh. Time, more than space, is the focus of sanctification in Judaism.

In this week's torah portion of Va'era we have the first seven of the ten plagues against the Egyptians. In the context of Moses striking down the task-master that was beating a slave and the drowning of the Egyptians in the Sea.. the question remains how should we feel about the use of violence?

This week's torah portion, Shemot, marks the beginning of the second book of Torah - the Book Of Exodus. In these early stories of moving towards liberation, we find a Moses who is hesitant to lead the people out of slavery: what if they do not listen to me, he asks. Yet they do. Most of the time we are more likely to be surprised than for our expectations of complete failure met.

In this week's torah portion of Vayechi, the last section from the book of Genesis, we have the passing of Jacob and Joseph. Both give big speeches to their family before they die. Why wait to share your greatest wisdom to till the end? Have you ever heard of living eulogies? Now is the time to tell your loved ones how you feel.

In this week's torah portion of Vayigash, we find Jacob getting ready to head out from Be'er Sheva and travel to Egypt to reunite with his son, Joseph. Before he begins this journey with his whole family (all together they are 70) he send Judah ahead first. Some commentators say it was to establish a school for the children as their first act in their new home.

In this week's torah portion of "Miketz", Joseph names his two sons Ephraim and Menashe. To this day as parents bless their sons on Shabbat evening by saying "may you be blessed as Ephraim and Menashe". Tune in to hear about ideas for kids conversations at Shabbat dinner.