From the Desk of Rabbi Alter

Parshat Yitro tells of the revelation at Mount Sinai and the giving of the Ten Commandments. The commandments were written on two tablets, but there was a distinct difference: The first tablet contained mitzvot between people and God – e.g., “Believe in God,” “Don’t worship other gods,” “Don’t take God’s

Kol Colchester Parshat Beshalach The Egyptian army that chased the Jewish people was a pale shadow of the formidable juggernaut that it had been a year earlier. The world’s superpower had been decimated by the Ten Plagues. Most of its horses had perished. Many of its officers

A LIFE LESSON The Egyptians had just experienced seven severe plagues that God set upon them. Even though Pharaoh had also witnessed all of it, he still remained stubborn in refusing to let all of the Jews go free. However, Pharaoh’s servants – the ones who waited

Dear Friends, It is cold and icy outside, please be very careful. Wishing everybody a Happy and Healthy New year. Our last Shabbat Services for 2017 will be on Friday night at 7:30 P.M. and Shabbat morning at 9 A.M. There is no snow in the forecast

Parshat Vayigash tells how Jacob, his children and grandchildren all get ready to move down to Egypt. And the verse says that Jacob sent his son Yehudah ahead to make preparations for their arrival. The word for preparation is “L’horot” – related to the word Torah. In other words,

Parshat Mikeitz During the entire time that the brothers met with Joseph in Egypt, they were completely unable to recognize him for who he was. It’s quite unbelievable. This viceroy was clearly not of Egyptian origin. He looked exactly like their father, Jacob. They knew that their

Kol Colchester Parshat Vayeshev The Sages ask: Why did Jacob deserve that Joseph, his favorite son, get sold as a slave to Egypt? They discover the answer in the name of this parsha, Vayeshev — “and Jacob rested.” Jacob had had a very tough life — attacked

Dear friends, What a gorgeous day today, enjoy!! Upcoming Friday-Shabbat Service 7:30 P.M. Saturday-Shabbat Service 9 A.M. followed by B’nai Mitzvah class. Please help support our Shabbat minyans. Kol Colchester  Parshat Vayishlach tells of Jacob wrestling with an angel, and Jacob asks the angel an unusual question:

Dear Friends, I wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am grateful and feel blessed to be your rabbi for the past 22 years. On Friday our Shabbat Service is at 7:30 P.M. and on Saturday our Shabbat morning Service is at 9 A.M. We

Monday-Interfaith Thanksgiving Service-7 P.M.-Please join us as we have St. Andrew’s choir under the direction of Coleen Puscas, St. Andrew’s Bell Choir,Thanksgiving message by Rabbi Alter, Rev. Thompson and Rev. Lorincz and collection of canned goods for Colchester Food bank and monetary donations for Colchester Fuel Bank.