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Maharat Victoria Sutton

Maharat Victoria Sutton

Maharat Victoria Sutton is the director of education and community engagement at Congregation Beth Israel in Berkeley.

Michelangelo's Leah
Posted inColumns

Why Leah’s ability to give thanks should be our model for today

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton November 27, 2020November 25, 2020

The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon. Vayetzei Genesis 28:10-32:3  We learn how to give thanks from our mother Leah. On […]

Tile from the Moshav Zekenim synagogue in Tel Aviv. (Photo/Wikimedia Commons)
Posted inTorah

Even during Covid, one must awaken ‘like a lion’ every day

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton August 21, 2020August 20, 2020
Balaam is stopped by an angel while on his way to curse the Israelites, as in this week's Torah portion, from the 1493 Nuremberg Chronicles.
Posted inTorah

In this week’s Torah portion, the fine line between intention and action

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton July 3, 2020July 2, 2020
Bar Kochba-era coins found in Jerusalem. (Photo/Wikimedia)
Posted inTorah

In these times, acknowledge the bad, but don’t neglect the good

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton May 15, 2020May 14, 2020
Detail from “The Gathering of the Manna” by James Tissot, ca. 1900
Posted inTorah

What this week’s Torah portion teaches us about poverty in the Bay Area

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton February 7, 2020February 6, 2020
Sodom and Gomorrah in the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493, with Lot's wife (center) already transformed into a pillar of salt.
Posted inTorah

Taking a stand can define you (hopefully not as a pillar of salt)

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton November 15, 2019November 14, 2019
"Only the right name gives beings and things their reality," says the Childlike Empress in "The Neverending Story."
Posted inTorah

Names have the power to shape our reality

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton September 20, 2019September 18, 2019
“Moses Names Joshua to Succeed Him” by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld, 1860
Posted inTorah

Changing of guard in the Torah reveals two very different forms of leadership

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton July 25, 2019August 8, 2019
The Berlin Holocaust memorial (Photo/Maharat Victoria Sutton)
Posted inTorah

How can we ensure blessings in a world filled with curses?

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton May 30, 2019May 23, 2019
Sarah before the miraculous birth of her son, Isaac, by James Tissot, ca. 1900
Posted inColumns

Conception is still miraculous — especially for those who struggle with infertility

Maharat Victoria Sutton by Maharat Victoria Sutton April 4, 2019April 4, 2019

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