By Deborah Laverty
Published by The Times of Northwest Indiana – December 10, 2020
The pandemic has changed — but in no way diminished — the significance of Hanukkah as area Jews celebrate the festival of lights.
The lighting of the hanukkiah, or menorah, which has nine candles, by Jewish … More
By Lu Ann Franklin
Published by the The Times of Northwest Indiana – September 14, 2015
At sundown Sunday, the most sacred 10 days in Jewish spiritual life began as Rosh Hashanah ushered in the High Holy Days with traditions that date back thousands of years.
“Rosh Hashanah has deep … More
By Lu Ann Franklin
Published by The Times of Northwest Indiana – March 8, 2015
Sharing the Passover Seder meal creates a bridge between past, current and future generations, and reminds Jews of the responsibility to promote freedom and dignity for all peoples.
On Sunday, more than 250 guests heard … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Thanksgiving is the holiday that people of different faiths, ethnic and cultural origins can share and appreciate, because we all have collective and personal reasons to give thanks.
The Hebrew Bible reminds us to be grateful (Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 17-18): “When you have eaten your fill and … More
By Lu Ann Franklin
Published by the The Times of Northwest Indiana – September 23, 2014
At sundown Wednesday, the most sacred 10 days in Jewish spiritual life begin as Rosh Hashanah ushers in the Jewish New Year with traditions that date back thousands of years.
Called the Day of … More
By Elvia Malagon
Published by The Times of Northwest Indiana – April 14, 2014
People across Northwest Indiana began observing Passover on Monday night.
Passover is a weeklong holiday where the Jewish community reflects on its ancestors, who about 3,200 years ago left Egypt for Israel after being enslaved.
Rabbi … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by The Times of Israel – April 13, 2014
I look at the four old photos of my first Seder and see myself at one year old, sitting with my grandfather, and holding the Haggadah. There they are, my uncles and cousins, the matzah and … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Published by The Times of Israel – March 14, 2014
One year into his pontificate, Pope Francis continues to show his commitment to Jewish-Catholic relations. He has welcomed to the Vatican six Jewish delegations, as well as Israeli President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and … More
By Rabbi Mordechai Levin
Sometimes things work out completely different than what we might have expected or feared. We worry about certain things that might occur in the future, but they never happen. We hope for good things and our expectations are not met. Life’s unpredictability is one of the … More
By Jennifer Pallay
Published by The Times of Northwest Indiana – November 24, 2013
For the first time in 125 years, Hanukkah and Thanksgiving will overlap this year, creating an opportunity to combine traditions for American Jewish families.
Mordechai Levin, the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Munster, said, “American … More
Rabbi Levin 
is the rabbi of Congregation Beth Israel in Munster, IN. He received his rabbinic ordination from the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, and is a member of the Rabbinical Assembly. In 2010, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City for his years of dedicated service to the Conservative movement and the Jewish community...Full bio