RABBI GOLDBERG’S NEW PULPIT — Rabbi Edwin C. Goldberg, D.H.L., who grew up in our Jewish community as a member of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah, where he became a Bar Mitzvah and was confirmed, has a new pulpit.
On July 1 he became the rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands in Texas. Rabbi Goldberg received his rabbinic ordination in 1989 and earned a doctorate in Hebrew literature from the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1994. He enjoys a full spectrum of rabbinic activities, including teaching, pastoral care and creating opportunities for deep spiritual engagement.
He promised his new congregants he was showing up with his “A game” and felt blessed to be at the congregation.Before moving to Texas, he spent six years as the senior rabbi at Temple Sholom in Chicago and 17 years at a congregation in Coral Gables, Florida.
CALLING ALL SUKKAH DWELLERS — The J wants your Sukkot pics. This year, Sukkot begins Oct. 14, but it’s already on the minds of staff at The J. They’re creating an interactive inside installation showing celebrations all over the city.
To be included in the fun, send The J your photos from previous Sukkots. Consider sending photos of building your sukkah, decorating your sukkah, waving the lulav in your sukkah, standing on the ladder putting the s’chach (roof covering) on your sukkah, eating in your sukkah, teaching in your sukkah, wearing coats because it’s cold in your sukkah or anything else you can think of that took place in your sukkah.
Email photos from homes and organizations to from now until Sept. 30. A teaser list of participants will be featured on The J’s website, TheJKC.org, along with upcoming details about the installation, which is made possible by a contribution from the Dora and Louis Fox Charitable Trust.
For more information, contact Jill Maidhof at or 913-327-8077.
JOKE OF THE WEEK — Reader Marvin Fremerman recently sent me this joke and wonders if anyone knows its origin. If you know where it came from, email me at and we’ll share the information in a future Listening Post column.
Here’s the joke:
A beggar knocks on the door of a little old Jewish lady. She opens the door.
Little old Jewish lady: “Yes. Vot is it?”
Beggar, with hand stretched out: “Please lady, I haven’t eaten in three days.”
Little old Jewish lady: “You should force yourself.”