Rabbi Philip Weintraub

Today we remember.

we remember the U.S. Military Chaplain Rabbis memorialized at Chaplains Hill, Arlington Cemetery.
May their memories forever be a blessing. 

* Chaplain Capt. Nachman S. Arnoff
* Chaplain Lt. Col. Meir Engel
* Chaplain 1st Lt. Frank Goldenberg
* Chaplain 1st Lt. Alexander D. Goode
* Chaplain 1st Lt. Henry Goody
* Chaplain Capt. Joseph I. Hoenig
* Chaplain Maj. Samuel D. Hurwitz
* Chaplain 1st Lt. Herman L. Rosen
* Chaplain Capt. Solomon Rosen
* Chaplain Capt. Morton H. Singer
* Chaplain Capt. David M. Sobel
* Chaplain 1st Lt. Henry Tavel
* Chaplain Capt. Irving Tepper
* Chaplain 1st Lt. Louis Werfel

As we approach the 250th birthday of this country, I pray we can find peace for all peoples. No one should ever be harmed at their house of worship-or anywhere else! Sanctuaries should be places of peace, free of violence or threats. Salaam, shalom, peace.

5 Dead After Shooting at Islamic Center in San Diego, Threat 'Neutralized' The dead include two gunmen.

Eurovision demonstrates that the hatred against the Jewish people might not be as terrible as the official narrative. The state institutions, Eurovision itself and worldwide media led a smear campaign against Noam and Israel. He was booed in public, but the protests fell apart. The anonymous votes and the juries all loved him.

I’m grateful to see Hen Mazzig’s perspective on Israel’s second place finish!

“When you stop and ask what the campaign against Noam was actually about, you arrive at a question that should not need to be asked in 2026. Should Jews be allowed to sing in Europe?

A thousand artists signed letters saying no. Five broadcasters and the activists outside the arena said no.
Europe, in the privacy of its own televote, said yes.”

The Only Night Europe Tells the Truth Israel came second at Eurovision. The headlines called it a defeat. They were wrong about almost everything except the score.

Sephardic Jews were the first to find their way to this country.

Shavua Tov. Today is the 38th day of the Omer.

In a few moments it will be Mother’s Day. This day is so vital, because in many families, the mother is the rock, the anchor, the spine, the spirit, the organizer, the dreamer, the discipliner, the breadwinner, the everything-er. Some are blessed to have incredible partners while others go it alone by choice or not. Some mothers desperately wish to have children, some are never granted the gifts while others had parenting thrust upon them, and many options we don’t even imagine.

On a personal level, am grateful to the mother who raised me, the mother who raised my wife, and my partner in parenting who carried and raises our children.

In the Aseret haDibrot, only one command has an explicit reward-honoring our parents. May we honor them each day and live so that we truly merit honor from our own children. May we find joy and blessing today in sharing love with those who bring so much love into our lives!

On this Yom Ha’atzmaut, I think back to a great movie and the power of seltzer and ingenuity.

How Seltzer Won Israel’s War For Independence 'Cast a Giant Shadow' is like 'Exodus' with a shpritz bottle

Do we need memory in the age of AI?

What are our core stories?

What does Yizkor mean?

Do we have memories anymore? AI, the internet and Yizkor Rabbi Philip Weintraub Congregation B’nai Israel Thursday April 9, 2026 How do we create and retain memories in a world where we can uploa...