Thoughts From Rabbi Peter Rigler of Temple Sholom in Broomall

Dear Friends,

I am honored to have my thoughts included among the members of our community. Let me start by telling you all a little but more about myself, and why, I was happy to be included in blogging for our community. My name is Rabbi Peter Rigler and i have been serving as the Rabbi of Temple Sholom in Broomall for two years. What a wonderful community!

We are a diverse, warm and welcoming community. As many of you know ,we are the only Reform congregation in Delaware County. What is Reform Judaism you may ask? First, it is the largest movement in Judaism today with over 1.2 million members.

Reform Judaism has enabled the Jewish people to introduce innovation while preserving tradition. We have embraced diversity and modernity while still holding strongly to the central tenets of our faith. We believe that Judaism plays a role in our lives but, it compels us to be part of the larger world.

We teach that it is a mitzvah (a righteous act), to be engaged in the activities of our community and to build bridges with our neighbors. So, when I was asked to participate in this blog I knew it was a great way to connect to our many neighbors and friends. I want to share teachings, thoughts, ideas and responses from the Reform Jewish community.

I encourage your thoughts and also your visits to our temple. I would also be thrilled to answer any questions that you might have about Judaism. You can feel free to email me at Rabbirigler@gmail.

It seems ironic and wonderful that as I am writing this first entry, we are reading the weekly Torah portion called Kedoshim, known as the holiness code. Kedoshim falls directly in the middle book in the exact middle of the Torah. The ancient Rabbis referred to the section as the Lev (heart of the Torah). What is the center verse? "V'ahvata Lreicha Kamocha-Love your neighbor as yourself."

Within the heart of the Jewish people and our Torah, our deepest value is honoring our neighbors and treating others with kindness, dignity and respect. Perhaps one of the best ways to build community is an exchange of ideas and learning together.

I look foward to learning and exploring together as a community!

B'shalom (in peace),

Rabbi Peter Rigler