One of the core values of the Havurah movement is the active role played by community members.
Divrei Torah | Additional Commentaries
At Fabrangen this active role is expressed, among other ways, in the discussion of the weekly Torah portion. In place of the rabbi’s sermon, each Shabbat a Fabrangen member or invited guest will give a “drash” (i.e., a talk, a “d’var Torah”) introducing some aspect of the weekly portion. The drash is preceded by a partial Hebrew reading and a full English reading of the weekly Torah portion, and it is followed by an animated and wide-ranging community discussion.
The drash itself may focus on textual analysis, on a key philosophical theme of the particular Torah portion, or on ways in which some aspect of the Torah portion affects us in our lives. During the Torah discussion, everyone – newcomers and guests included – are encouraged to share their thoughts about the weekly portion. Because a different person gives the drash each week, this tradition provides a wonderful glimpse into the intellectual gifts and diversity of the Fabrangen community.
For many of us, the drash and Torah discussion are a particularly memorable part of each Shabbat experience—something to be reflected on during the coming work week.
Here are two sources for the actual texts themselves:
- Hebcal Torah Readings
- The Sefaria Library (Click the button for Parashat Hashavua under “Calendar”)
Here are written versions of past drashes by Fabrangen members.
| Parashah | D’var Torah | Parashah | D’var Torah |
| Bereishit | ● Ross Bettinger, 2016 Bereishit ● Rick LaRue, 2020 Let There Be Light: Transparency, Connections and Mechitzas | Aharei Mot/Kedoshim | |
| Noah | ● Caleb Kriesberg, 2012 Noah – Does Judaism Root for the Ravens? | Emor | ● David Goldston 2022 D’rash Emor |
| Lekh Lekha | Behar/Behukkotai | ||
| Vayeira | ● David Goldston, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, 2018 Vayeira | Bamidbar | ● David Goldston, 2020 D’rash B’midbar |
| Hayei Sarah | ● Bracha Laster, 2013 (Revised 2017 at Fabrangen West) Parshat Hayei Sarah ● Lucy Steinitz, 2020 The Life of Sarah | Shavu’ot | ● Rachel Braun, 2019 Ruth and Naomi, Devoted Partners in memory of Dorothy Braun z”l ● Lucy Steinitz, 2019 Yizkor ● Rachel Braun, 2020 Torah is acquired in 48 ways. Pirkei Avot 6:6 |
| Toldot | Naso | ● Larry Garber, 2020 Torah Drash – Parshat Naso | |
| Vayetzei | ● Rachel Braun, 2015 Adonai was in this place… | Beha’alotekha | ● Deborah Shapiro, 2007 Numbers 12:1-2 ● Deborah Shapiro, 2013 Numbers 8:12 |
| Vayishlah | Shelah Lekha | ● Deborah Shapiro, 2013 Numbers 13-16 | |
| Vayeishev | Korah | ● Lucy Steinitz, 2017 Balak | |
| Mikeitz – Shabbat Hanukah | ● David Goldston, 2021 Genesis 41:1-44:17 | Hukkat | ● Bob Rovinsky z”l, 2010 Numbers 25:10–30:1 ● Deborah Shapiro, 2013 Numbers 25:10-30:1 ● Lucy Steinitz, 2020 Pinchas / Numbers 25:10–30:1 |
| Vayigash | Balak | ||
| Vayehi | Pinhas | ||
| Shemot | ● Rachel Braun, 2015 Shemot: Sharing values, sharing risks | Mattot/ Mas’ei | ● Lucy Steinitz, 2021 Numbers 30:2–36:13 |
| Va-eira – Rosh Hodesh | Devarim – Hazon | ||
| Bo | Va-et-hannan – Nahamu | ● Zahara Heckscher z”l, 2016 The Mountaintop ● Lucy Steinitz, 2023 Exodus 10:1 – 13:16 | |
| B’shallah Shabbat Shirah – Tu Beshvat | ● Esther Ticktin on her 80th Birthday, 2005 B’shalah | Eikev | ● Mark Perlis, 2012 Deuteronomy 11:13-21 ● David Kriesberg, 2006 Eikev – On the occasion of his bar mitzvah ● Fran Goldman, 2020 Eikev |
| Yitro | ● David Goldston, 2014 Yitro | Re-ei | ● Caleb Kriesberg, 2003 Re’ei 2003 ● Debbie Goldman, August 15, 2020 Parsha R’eih – 100th anniversary of 19th Amendment |
| Mishpatim – Shekalim | ● Manny Thorne, 2013 Mishpatim | Shofetim | |
| Terumah | Ki Tetzei | ||
| Tetzavveh – Zakhor | ● Rachel Braun, 2018 The Menorah: Embracing an Impossible Symbol ● David Goldston, 2020 Tetzaveh | Ki Tavo | ● Deborah Shapiro, 2011 Deuteronomy 26:13 |
| Ki Tissa – Parah | Nitazavim/ Vayeilekh | ||
| Vayak-hel/ Pekudey | ● Rachel Braun, 2020 Finishing the book of Exodus, 5780 | Rosh Hashanah Day 1 | ● Esther Ticktin z”l The Readings on Rosh Hashanah ● Susan Barocas, RH Day 1, 2012 As a child, I never knew Rosh Hashanah had so many names. ● Rachel Braun, 2020 Yotzer Ohr — Cracks of Light and Reading the Shema incorrectly helps me think about gratitude. |
| Vayikra | Rosh Hashanah Day 2 | ● Esther Ticktin z”l The Readings on Rosh Hashanah ● Virginia Spatz, 1998 Worm-Hole Aliens, the Mikvah and the Akeda ● Virginia Spatz, 2009 “Look Behind You“: Akedah 5770 ● Allen Hirsh, 2012 A Modern Take on the Akedah – Genesis 22:1–19 ● David Goldston, 2019 Akeda | |
| Tzav – HaGadol | ● Deborah Shapiro, 2013 Leviticus 3-8 ● David Goldston 2022 D’rash Tzav | Haazinu – Shuvah | Caleb Kriesberg Haazinu – Shabbat Shuvah |
| Hol HaMo-eid Pesah | Yom Kippur | ● Debbie Goldman, 2000 Jonah ● David Goldston, 2013 Yom Kippur Morning Drash Coming Up on September by Marge Piercy ● Rachel Braun, 2015 Vows and Power: Thoughts before Kol Nidre ● Rose Berstein, 2016 Today is Yom Kippur ● Lucy Steinitz, 2016 Imagine You are Jonah ● Rachel Braun, 2019 Atonement when we’ve done right ●Eric Rosenthal, 2019 Jonah ● Lucy Steinitz, 2020 Forgiving Oneself ● David Goldston, 2020 Yom Kippur Morning Drash | |
| Shemini | Hol Hamoed Sukkot | ● Virginia Spatz, 1999 Alone in the Sukkah ● David Goldston, 2011 Shabbat Kol Ha-Moed Sukkot ● David Goldston, 2020 D’rash for first day of Sukkot | |
| Tazria/ Metzora | Simhat Torah | ● Zahara Heckscher z”l, 2016 Simchat Torah |
Additional Commentaries
Virgina Spatz, 2010
Is Thanks Ever Simple?-part 1 – A Response to a service led by Talia Laster at Fabrangen West
Fabrangen Community Musings:
- Counting the Omer: This blog, launched for the omer period 5770 (2010), originally provided daily reminders and some thoughts shared by Fabrangeners, on the journey from Passover’s freedom to the Revelation of Shavuot. As Kurt Vonnegut once said (see Day Nineteen), however: “Sometimes you’re busy when a clock strikes and you miss the count.” So thoughts from Fabrangen’s inaugural blog remain here for the continuing journey, beyond Sinai. Thanks to Virginia Spatz for curating the site.
- Three Weeks: This blog, created and curated by Fabrangener Bob Rovinsky, z”l in 2013, focuses on the three weeks of preparation for Tisha B’av, the day commemorating the destruction of the Temple and many other calamities. Posts included meditations, poetry, writings, and remembrances from Fabrangen members.
Midrash Meditations: This blog was written by Dale Lupu and Richard Gladstein from 2010 to 2014 – “We write these midrash meditations weekly to inspire our sitting group and chevrah (and ourselves). Our aim is to look carefully and closely at one detail in the weekly parsha. We contemplate it, asking what lessons it can teach us about living wisely, peacefully, compassionately, and joyfully.”
Tour of Torah: This blog by Fabrangener Rachel Braun has commentary on Torah and on tefillah (plus a little Purim Torah!). You may also enjoy exploring Rachel’s home site.
“A Song Every Day”: This blog by Virginia Spatz