Beth Shalom Bloomington: A University Town Synagogue with Rabbi Noach Lawrence

Beth Shalom Bloomington: A University Town Synagogue with Rabbi Noach Lawrence

by Congregation Beth Shalom

Season 1

Matching "Scarborough Fair" to "Oseh Shalom," Rabbi Noach & Clergy Intern Nava

An original pairing by Rabbi Noach Lawrence sung by him and Clergy Intern Nava Teller, with Simon & Garfunkel's beloved vocal arrangement for the British folk song and the iconic guitar part written by British folk musician Martin Carthy and adapted by Paul Simon. We begin with "Be-Sefer Chayim," our yearning to be inscribed "in the Book of Life" in the new year, for the High Holy Days, then pair this melody with "Oseh Shalom," our prayer for peace "upon us, upon all the Jewish people, and upon all who dwell on earth," "aleinu, ve-al-kol Yisrael, ve-al-kol yoshvei teiveil." Rosh Hashanah 5786 • 2025 at Congregation Beth Shalom of Bloomington.

Moses' Most Underrated Leadership Trait - Parshat Shemot

Rabbi Noach's d'var Torah (sermon) at Shabbat evening services, 21 Tevet 5786 • January 10, 2026.

Singing “For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples” - HIAS Refugee Shabbat

From Refugee Shabbat, a global initiative of HIAS (formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), 5786 • 2026. Source text from Isaiah 56.

Pairing modern Hebrew poet Ra'hel's "Tiny Joys" & Psalm 96 sung for Shabbat

We shared in this dialogue between a modern, female voice in Israeli culture and this ancient psalm's uplift as part of Kabbalat Shabbat, our opening songs to "warm up" our gratitude, awe, and joy, the first section of Shabbat evening services. 23 Tammuz 5785 • July 18, 2025.

On the Michigan synagogue attack, followed by singing Mi Chamocha (song of crossing the Red Sea)

At Shabbat evening services for 25 Adar 5786 • March 13, 2026.

Why the Israeli Declaration of Independence's Twin Promises Are In Danger

Rabbi Noach's d'var Torah (sermon) for the Shabbat before Israeli Memorial Day and Independence Day, Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzma'ut, 1 Iyar 5786 • April 17, 2026,

Singing for empathy & safety for all sides: Idan Raichel Project's "Chayim P'shutim," "Simple Life"

Rabbi Noach leads us in expressing our longings for restored safety and empathy for each other through the Israeli band the Idan Raichel Project's 2013 song "Chayim P'shutim," a prayer in its own modern, healing way. The lyrics with Rabbi Noach's original translation from the Hebrew can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jARSTeYTWtH4yOpUYCCYoATq6YESPK-c/view?usp=sharing From our Shabbat evening service on 22 Av 5785 • August 15, 2025.

Singing "And You Shall Love" — Clergy Intern Molly & Rabbi Noach

Clergy Intern Molly Singer & Rabbi Noach Lawrence lead us in Debbie Friedman's English V'Ahavta.

A Jewish response of solidarity with Muslims amid Islamophobia

The text in edited and expanded form can be found here: https://rabbinoach.substack.com/p/a-jewish-response-of-solidarity-with Rabbi Noach's words at Shabbat evening services, 14 Sivan 5786 • May 29, 2026.

Selective Memory and its Political Consequences - Parshat Be-Ha'alotecha

Rabbi Noach's d'var Torah (sermon) at Shabbat evening services, June 5, 2026 • 21 Sivan 5786.

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