Shabbat Message - Friday, November 6, 2026

In this week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah (Gen 23:1-25:18), Sarah dies, and Abraham buys a cave in which to bury her. He then sends his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac. The servant meets Rebecca at a well. Here is a good 3-1/2 minute visual depiction of the story.

Join us for Shabbat Service TONIGHT at 7pm in Moss Beach. RSVP here for the address.

Dear CJC Members & Friends,

We are currently witnessing seismic changes in the U.S. and Israel, and there are more significant changes coming in the next few months. Can we help to guide the changes that are underway so that things go well and we don't, instead, go careening toward an apocalypse? I believe so.

Based on the outcome of this week's midterm elections, it seems that Americans are ready to change the direction in which the current administration has been leading us. We have witnessed a much-needed course correction and I've been thinking about what's behind it.

We've been pretending for a while now that character doesn't matter. We've learned that you can get ahead in the world without a moral compass, but what are the consequences of doing that? We are seeing the consequences play out in massive inequalities, cruelties, and injustices around the globe.

During my recent trip to Israel/Palestine, I saw the consequences of decades of political corruption and sanctioned violence. The intergenerational trauma that has become only more deeply entrenched is having a disastrous and corrosive effect all around.

What I learned from the people we spoke with is that there is another way that doesn't begin in the highest offices of power. The change that is needed begins at the bottom and gains power and momentum, eventually forcing itself upon the leaders who, instead, prefer the status quo. We are seeing this happen in both the U.S. and Israel. (We met with the director of the documentary below.)

I am reminded of what American cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead said: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

I've been listening to the audio version of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism (2020), which inspired the 2024 documentary God and County (available on Apple TV and Amazon Prime). In her book, award-winning journalist and author Katherine Stewart points out that we must distinguish between the political and religious leaders of Christian nationalism on the one hand, and its everyday followers on the other.

Many rank-and-file participants and churchgoers genuinely believe they are fighting for core cultural and moral issues, such as opposing abortion or protecting religious expression. However, it's the architects, wealthy donors, and organizational leaders who are deliberately using cultural grievances and theological frameworks as tools to capture votes, accumulate power, and dismantle democratic norms.

Failing to make this distinction, and not recognizing that this is a top-down political strategy, prevents a clear understanding of how the infrastructure of Christian nationalism is working to reshape American governance. The same thing is happening in Israel, with the religious right being enlisted by political leaders to advance a nationalist agenda that involves the dispossession of Arabs.

If you want to see how religion can be reframed in progressive, rather than regressive, ways, listen to recent interviews with Adam Hamilton or James Talarico. They have been portrayed in right-wing media as radicals, but if you actually listen to their common message, it's theologically sound.

We are on the brink of enormous changes when it comes to geopolitics, climate change, and the development of Artificial Intelligence. If we continue to pretend that the refinement of character doesn't matter in any of these domains, we will have a bleak future ahead of us.

Mussar is the best tool we have, as Jews, for the refinement of character. It's a Jewish mindfulness practice that we can engage in, not just on a cushion but in real time, that supports and strengthens soul traits shaped by values such as justice, mercy, and non-violence. It requires that we choose what is right over what is popular or easy, creating an ethos that is not easily hijacked by wealth and power.

In an essay he wrote in 1947 on the purpose of education, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: "We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education." In other words, education without a moral compass is dangerous. A trained mind must be coupled with a noble heart to ensure that intelligence (human or artificial) is used for the betterment of humanity.

In closing, I recall Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech in which he hoped that his children would "one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."

As a rabbi, I am compelled to say that we can guide the changes that are upon us by joining with others, here in our own community and in broader networks, who are committed to embodying soul traits shaped by values such as justice, mercy, and non-violence.

These are partners we can trust and support, and future leaders in the world we are co-creating -- for the sake of our children and future generations.

Shabbat Shalom,

Reb Moshe

UPCOMING CJC EVENTS

TONIGHT: Friday, November 6 - Kabbalat Shabbat service in Moss Beach, 7pm

It's been a while! The last Kabbalat Shabbat service we had was six weeks ago. Join us tonight at a beautiful home in Moss Beach. A few CJC members will be meeting for dinner beforehand at 5:30pm at a local restaurant. Let Brianne know you'd like to come for the dinner and/or service, and she will send you the address and other details. If you can bring some cookies or fruit for the oneg (refreshments) after the service, that would be awesome!

Friday December 4 - Night of Lights Parade in Half Moon Bay, 6pm

Join us for an outdoor pop-up Kabbalat Shabbat service at 5:30 pm as we gather at the corner of Filbert & Purissima Streets near downtown HMB. Then join us in the annual Night of Lights Parade, marching with our decorated Chanukah vehicles. RSVP to Brianne.

Sunday, December 6 - CJC's Annual Chanukah Celebration in HMB, 4:30pm

After we sing a few Chanukah standards, we will light the Chanukah candles and sing the blessings. A vegetarian dinner of falafel, hummus, salad, pita, and rice will be served at 5:00 pm, complete with latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts). The music will continue with all the Chanukah favorites played by The Coastside Kehillah Band, along with dreidel games, story time with Reb Moshe, and a latke-hamentash debate. Your kids will have a blast and return home with gelt and lasting memories. Plan to join us!

Look for more details soon.

EVENTS WITHIN THE WIDER COMMUNITY

Wednesday, November 11 - The Future is Peace Journey Continues, 7pm

Reb Moshe, Laura & Sam, and Vaughn returned this week from their trip to Israel with the authors of The Future is Peace, who appear in this segment from Democracy Now! Come hear about their "peace mission," how it impacted them, and how they plan to continue the journey toward peace. RSVP to Lisa for the location and to reserve your seat.

Saturday, November 14 - Join Reb Moshe & Jill at Puente's Volunteer Workday, 9am

Projects include: cleaning and moving items from several locations, cutting and removing branches and repairing a fence. Snacks and lunch will be provided. RSVP here.

Thursday, November 19 - Volunteer Opportunity in Puente's HMB Office, 10am-2pm

Our friends at Puente need help preparing mailers in support of their year-end fundraising efforts. Join us for a day of lively conversation, great company, and the opportunity to work together toward a meaningful purpose! Whether you can stay for the entire time or just a couple of hours, they would be grateful for your help. Lunch provided. RSVP here.

Saturday, December 5 - Spend a Shabbat in our 23,000 acre sanctuary, 9am

Join Reb Moshe and about 20 others for a Shabbat morning hike in the protected wilderness between Skylawn Cemetery and Montara Mountain. This area is only accessible to the public on docent-led outings. Reb Moshe is a registered docent and will lead the 6-mile hike on December 5th and January 9th. You can RSVP for the hikes here.

December 4 to 20 - A CHRISTMAS CAROL, The Musical

One of our members is starring in the Coastal Repertory Theater production of A Christmas Carol. The musical runs on weekends starting Dec. 4th through the 20th. Tickets are on sale now through the Coastal Repertory Theater.

Wondering what else is coming up? You can always check our website here. And follow us on Facebook! Kerry Lobel posts frequent announcements and items of interest here:

The Mission of CJC is to provide an inclusive community that supports connection to Jewish life, both cultural and spiritual, on the coast from Pacifica to Pescadero.

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