My curious Jewish mind then made me wonder what else could there be? Within an hour, using simple math, I was able to uncover the foundations of Judaism which is revealed below.

I began presenting this to classes and clergy and to date it has not been challenged or has it been seen before.

Several years ago, in a high school class I was teaching, Sarah Sinert, a student, said I left something out. She was correct as she showed the most tenet of Judaism, one God!

Take a look and ponder as I did, what else can I learn about life and Judaism that we think might be hidden, yet could be obvious if we take a moment to look at what is right in front of us that was placed in our Torah for us to discover.

*6+1+3= 10 commandments

*6×1=6/3= 2 tablets (or Ten Commandments given twice)

*6×1=6X3= 18 Chai

*6-1=5+3=8 days of milah

*6+1=7-3= 4 Jewish matriarchs

*6/ (1×2)=3 Jewish forefathers

*6-13=7 Shabbat

*6/(1-3)= 12 tribes of Israel

*6x(3+1)=24 Books of bible

*6/3 =2-1=1 God (revealed by Sarah Sinert-HIP Hebrew high school student)

Andy Greenberg is a speaker, lay service leader and educator onJewish and secular topics and former radio and TV personality.

As a professional salesperson (million dollar contracts) with an executive marketing and training career, I feel obligated to reveal some of the objections raised by 90% of the Jewish community who have elected to abandon belonging to a synagogue and possible answers. So here we go:

*”I don’t go to services so why should I pay for something I do not use?”

Synagogues offer so much more, social, networking, education, entertainment, counseling, speakers and most important of all, a sense of community while our religion and its people are being attacked here in Florida, the U.S. and around the world.

*”As a retired person, I am on a fixed income and cannot afford it.”

When we were working, we also were on a fixed income set by our bosses or business. We were burdened with medical bills, college and sport expenses for our kids and saving for expenses, weddings, B’nai Mitzvahs and retirement. Since these no longer exist, our income is now open to greater variety. I am certain a shul of your choice will work with you.

*”I do not have kids. I belonged when I had them as we prepared for their B’nai Mitzvah.”

So how are you doing in meeting others who are empty nesters in your community? Many people do not have the freedom you do and are difficult to find. Yet a shul presents a magnificent opportunity to meet people like you to share stories with, socialize and travel with.

*”My kids had a B’nai Mitzvah and now we are done.”

Teens today are subject to a lot of peer pressure, usually the wrong ones. Synagogues offer a haven from that with teen programs, clubs, dances, etc. This is the best time to get them involved and avoid other possible issues that could and have materialized. In addition, if parents drop out, the chances are that the children will too.

*”Let’s face it, the Jewish religion is dying.”

This is a tough one. I prefer to say it is on a suicide watch especially in South Florida. What does this mean? Synagogues are the life support of Judaism as it always has been. When our ancestors came over to the U.S., the first thing they did is build synagogues, Hebrew schools, Jewish cemeteries and JCCs. Here the opposite is happening. They are merging or closing. Is it outside antisemitism that is causing this? As Jews, our future is in our hands.

*”I am a cultural Jew.”

Ever hear of the Polish, German, French, Italians clubs and cultural centers? Yep, we have the same. It is called a synagogue that provides lots of Jewish cultural events.

*”Dues are too high!”

You can impact a reduction in everyone’s dues! Budgets and dues are set on fixed expenses. The less the membership, the higher the dues. Yet, if income is higher than fixed expenses, dues will go down. The more that join, the lower the dues.

Organized religion is too commercialized. Nothing is free. Clergy, staff building expenses need to be covered. Imagine for a moment if there were no more synagogues, then there would not be any organized religion.

*”When I was a member, I was tired of being asked for more money. Enough!”

The Jewish people are self-sustaining. We all have and should have our favorite causes and charity whose outreach for funds are as aggressive as ours and are helped by millions of people. We only have us, there is no one fundraising for us except us. When money is given, it does not go to administrative costs. It goes to Jewish survival and growth.

*”I just buy tickets for the High Holidays.”

Membership dues ensures that there is a functional building to go to, clergy to officiate and security to protect. The High Holidays is a time for renewal and that could include membership.

So, any age, any family, single, widow or widower, can find a welcoming home filled with spirited Jewish people just like you, who share the world’s richest heritage and tradition at your local shul.

Andy Greenberg is a former national radio personality, TV talk show host and producer, author and a sought-after educator and lecturer on Jewish, business and secular topics. He lives in Lake Worth.

Than I attended a Beatles tribute band concert. Once again everybody was younger than me with the ages starting in the mid-twenties. They once again knew and sang the songs music and lyrics. There was absolutely no generation gap. I am sure that the reader of this article can remember words and lyrics to these groups’ top hits and so many others.

I began to reflect back at the Passover seders that I was at with my parents, friends and relatives when I was younger. We all sang the Haggadah songs that were part of the ritual that made the evening so much more enjoyable. Remember?

Yet today how many of us sing the songs that we grew up with? Are we just focusing on the story as fast as we can so that we can get through the seder and finally answer the fifth unwritten question, when do we eat?

I truly believe it’s time to take a lesson from the old yet current “oldies but goodies” by returning to the true flavor and songfest of the seder and the Haggadah teaches us how.

Ever wonder why the youngest child asks questions about events that haven’t yet occurred? They are asking why we eat matzah, dip two times, eat bitter herbs and learn even before we do it? It would make more sense to ask the question after it is done. The answer lies in the fact that in Hebrew school they learn about the seder before they do it.

If you are leading a seder, there is plenty of time to visit YouTube, ask a cantor, rabbi or ritual director to record, buy a CD to re-learn the lyrics and songs to the seder favorites: Kiddush, Ha Lach Manaya, Avadim Hayinu, Diaenu, opening of the Birchat Hamazon, Oseh Shlaom, Ki lo Naeh, Ader Who, Echad me Yodeah (who knows one) Chad Gadya (One Kid).

That’s 10 songs.

If a person doesn’t know Hebrew, the words can be found on the web in transliteration.

Imagine how boring it would be to go to a Beatles tribute band or Frankie Valli and hear them read the lyrics. Only when they add music do the words, story and emotions pour out.

Just like your children prepare for the seder, we as adults have the same responsibility to them. Do we accept shortcuts from them? No! Do we try and set examples for them as parents? Of course, we do.

It is a known fact that 70% of all Jews go to at least one seder. Why? For the matzah, bitter herbs etc.? No! For the experience and memories of the past and current. The same reason exists for a concert.

Think about this for a minute. How about practicing with your children. Sure they will say “I don’t want to! I want to play video games.” Yet, one of the top reasons children like being Jewish is they are able to be with family. Give them that experience they so yearn for. Isn’t that what your grandparents did for your parents and for you.

Just like the oldies, Judaism connects the old with the new. Why is it that the Frankie Valli and Beatles music have withstood the temptation of obscurity? Because they were repeated, handed down and enjoyed.

How can Judaism withstand the possible fate of obscurity? Through the Passover seder and all that is built into it to be repeated, handed down, learned and enjoyed.

If we don’t and continue to reduce the size and feeling of the seder, just imagine for a moment you being at a seder led by your children. Will it represent yours? Do you represent your parents or grandparents?

What an opportunity we have, today, starting now to prepare ourselves and our grandchildren for a seder that will attract energy and enthusiasm because you put passion to words and memorable melodies in the minds of your guests.

Andy Greenberg is a former national radio personality, TV talk show host and producer, author and a sought-after educator and lecturer on Jewish, business and secular topics. He lives in Lake Worth.

Here goes, not necessarily in order. If you want to have a better family life, a 16 year Columbia University study found that the more families have meals together tend to be more cohesive, have more successful children and established better relationships when they turn into adults. If one looks at the Jewish lifestyle, that is what Friday night (and Shabbat)  looks like when everybody sits down has a romantic dinner, the children are blessed, and the wife is admired.

If you want to live a happier life, The Gallup Organization in 2013 published the results of a survey that concluded Jewish people in America are the happiest. Why? For the purposes of this article I’m going to discount demographic differentiators that include income, education, etc. and focus on the fact that people are happiest when they achieve success. Our texts, classes and  heritage stress success and have a history of doing so. It is not by accident that when we came to America with hardly any of the necessary criteria for success, that we did. It is the history of our people that after times of calamity we grew by our creativeness in contributions to society.

A study of New York City rates of alcoholism by religion indicated that the Jewish people have the lowest percentage rate and that is due to the fact that they don’t need an abundance of alcohol to deal with depression and stress.

Charity  in the Jewish religion is highly emphasized. Once again research has indicated from a variety of sources that the more charitable a person is in both their deeds and financial contributions are healthier and are likely to live longer.

There is data that suggests from multiple sources that Jewish people tend to have a longer lifespan and the more they study at an older age the reduction of memory loss diseases are reduced.

Leather plays a very important role in daily Jewish life. For those who put on their tefillin, It has been shown in in a study that it reduces the chances of a heart attack by 35%.

Studies have concluded that if a person fasts seven times during the year their digestive systems tend to be healthier. Is it a coincidence or not that there are seven fast days during the Jewish year?

Judaism stresses social action, ethics, fair business dealings among many other attributes. That’s the reason that many of the social changes that have occurred in the world for the non-Jewish population were not only influenced by Jewish thought but many of the leaders of the movements were in fact Jewish.

While eating kosher is a biblical command, it should be observed  for that reason only. Again there is data that suggests it is generally healthier eating kosher food. Have you ever gone to a doctor who asks you to increase your intake of cheeseburger, bacon, ham, pork chops and other foods that are not kosher?

For those that are interested in self-help and self-improvement in the secular and business world, it will most likely come as a shock that many of today’s motivational techniques , sayings, and guidance came from Jewish texts over 800 years ago and to the Torah.

The list can go on and on and as a matter of fact does. At this point you could be asking yourself why am I missing out on a better family life, better health, higher sense of achievement, greater satisfaction and happiness?

Most likely because we have not been living a Jewish life and all that it provides us with. What is a Jewish life?  One focused on living happier, healthier, for a longer time.

This Rosh Hashanah let’s not only say Happy New Year, do it!

Andy Greenberg is a former national radio personality, TV talk show host and producer, author and a sought-after educator and lecturer on Jewish, business and secular topics. He resides in Lake Worth.

The current pandemic has also failed. The B’Yachad Religious School with students from Temple Beth Tikvah in Greenacres and Temple Torat Emet in Boynton Beach moved towards Zoom virtual lessons with resounding success.

Orly Jacobs, education director reports, “As an educator and teacher, we took on this role to share no matter what roadblocks we encounter. Attendance has been surprisingly high with 65-70% of the students participating. We also included Shabbat B’Yachad as a weekly get together with our families.”

Parents and students alike share in their love and appreciation for the opportunity to continuously pursue their Jewish education as evidenced in many notes of appreciation received.

Parent Jennifer T commented, “Our commitment to fostering our daughters’ Jewish identity has not taken a pause as, unfortunately, their piano lessons and cheerleading practices have. Being new to B’Yachad Religious School, recognizing Hebrew letters is both exciting and fun for our older daughter. We believe that continuing this momentum is as significant as our 1st grader’s English writing and reading skills, while she had a group conversation about the how’s and why’s of Passover have been highlights.”

“One of the challenges of what is going on is we don’t have our standard community. Yet, the Hebrew school community is strong, having weekly zoom lessons have been great for the children, the structure, friendships, connection and community with each other is that much more important, now more than ever. These children abruptly left school and Hebrew and the way that B’Yachad jumped into action to keep these children connected is amazing. We are beyond grateful for this community, now more than ever,” stated parent Melissa Engelberg.

Seventh grader Andrew S so poignantly compares the classroom experience vs. virtual lessons. “I feel like there are advantages learning from temple and learning from home. I’m more respectful in temple because I know that when I put a kippah on I’m symbolizing the Jewish religion. At home, I don’t wear a kippah so I don’t feel as connected. At temple, I like sitting with my classmates but at home I don’t have that opportunity. I feel like I’m learning more at temple because I’m actually there, with my teacher and classmates. Learning from home, my mom is able to see that I really want to learn. I want to participate, but it is harder.”

Another 6th grade student added, “I believe that B’Yachad has done a great job of making sure that students get their proper Jewish education while being quarantined. With online Sabbath services, the prayer boot camp program virtual bat/bar mitzvah study sessions, all our regular Hebrew School classes and even a virtual Pesach service, I believe the temple has done an exceptional job at adapting and bringing Jewish families together again.”

The teachers are thrilled they can continue to share their love and knowledge of Judaism with so many appreciative students and parents. Seventh grade teacher Andy Greenberg was kvelling when all students at the end of a recent class declared how worthwhile it was.

Kindergarten teacher Allison R said, “When I received the news of our Hebrew school closing I got upset because I did not know when or if I would get to see my students again. We get to share and be together for a short time each week where we have been trying to teach our students Jewish values and traditions in a new way. The kids are excited to show us projects they completed.”

Howie Z, teacher of 5th grade students added, “One of the first blessings we recite in the morning is, ‘Blessed are You Hashem our G-D, ruler of the universe, instilling in us the commandment to study words of Torah.’ It just doesn’t say how or where. Using Zoom is our way of teaching during these times The students acclimated well and agree we made a good choice.”

Stacey Ripin, 2nd-3rd grade teacher added, “Virtual Zoom Sunday School was more fulfilling to me as a teacher than I had anticipated.”

It is safe to say that parents, students and teachers are actually looking forward to a traditional classroom environment but have adjusted to the virtual classroom and are pleased with the results. The show must go on and we are making it happen.

Orly Jacobs is the education director and Andy Greenberg is a teacher at B’Yachad Religious School in Boynton Beach.

Authors and modern-day prophets tell us where it will be but the actual answer is do you want it to be? Do you want to continue as a religion? Before you answer remember what a religion is: The worship and belief in a super being that controls events. Without a God and worship then Judaism is not a religion. With the exception of the Orthodox who continue to practice original Judaism in a modified form as there no sacrifices, 70% of Jews believe that God does not exist.

If we are not a religion what’s left? Are we a nation of people? A nation is defined as a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory. Yet, 50 years from now what will we have in common? Our traditions and practices could no longer be in existence. It won’t be language, since few mainstream Jewish people know conversational or prayer book Hebrew. If Israel is not supported and is ultimately destroyed, then we no longer have a country or territory. We could maintain a descent however, 50-100 years from now with the majority of Jews intermarrying that disappears.

Let’s talk culture. Its definition is the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group. Without belief what could we possibly point to as our material traits and what is meant by the social form of being Jewish?

The answer lies in the original question: What is your vision? It is becoming quite obvious with the exception of the Orthodox that many Jewish people today are busy trying to convince others that there is no God, no reason to worship and what happens in the state of Israel is not necessarily part of my concern as it doesn’t affect me.

All to often at Jewish events, people I never met begin a dialogue with me that there is no God and never was. Without even asking me what my belief is their mission in starting the conversation was to either find someone who agreed with them or convince somebody who didn’t. By the way I am Conservative.

The next time I am engaged I will simply ask two questions. What is the benefit of convincing another Jewish person that there is no God? if successful in the argument what is the benefit of convincing every Jew who currently believes in God that there is no God? There are so many Jewish people who died throughout history because other religions, cultures and nations we’re obsessed with trying to get us to convert and abandon our heritage history and ancestral background.

I will also ask “If you are right, what is your vision of the Jewish people in the next 50 years?”

One can suggest that the main theme of this article is to convince the reader that Judaism’s only possibility of continued survival is its return to our original modified religious roots. Perhaps it’s an attempt to get Jewish people to return to worship occasionally, to family-oriented Jewish activities, holidays, food and vital components that have allowed us to survive history.

I opened with a question “Where do you want Judaism to be in the next 50 years? Is it so reprehensible to have a vision that synagogues return to its vibrant status of only 30-40 years ago and was the center focus of a person’s life? Synagogues provided social activities, emotional support, spiritual fulfillment, youth, adult, Israeli programming, clergy for fulfilling guidance, trained cantors leading services in a meaningful way and the weekly Torah parsha text and application in today’s complex society.

The challenge today is to select your vision where you want to see Judaism in the next 50 to 100 years. It comes down to two choices: a vibrant people excited about their identity, heritage, culture and worship practices or independent thought that provides an opportunity for future historians’ writings that would ask “Whatever happened to the Jews?”

The vision and choice of the two alternatives answers the question.

Andy Greenberg, who resides in Lake Worth, is a sought after Jewish lecturer and educator and a former national radio personality heard by millions daily nationwide and who produced and hosted his own TV talk show.

At one point in our Jewish lives we were all members of a synagogue, as b’nai mitzvah parents or as part of our parents’ membership and then many stopped, grew apart and separated. 88% of South Floridians did and they are right. In our youth we met at scheduled social activities, three times a week at Talmud Torah, on Shabbat to be a part of a friends or relatives transition to Jewish adulthood and responsibility and other life cycle events.

Synagogues always ask “Why don’t you join us, we need you, we want you, come give us a try, meet our great rabbi and cantor, etc.” How has that been working? Not well.

It needs to change. The question a synagogue should ask is “How can I join you?”

On Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Yizkor, a majority of the 88% were at a synagogue at least once. It’s the annual Jewish rally or pep talk. There is an opportunity for the Jew, the congregation and synagogue to join each other for the entire year.

There is a fear however (that is mostly true) in a shul, Shoppers mind “that the minute a synagogue becomes a part of my life, they will always ask me for money, to volunteer, to come to services, to join sisterhood, brotherhood, etc. NAG NAG NAG. I don’t want the hassle.”

I learned a long time ago that the way for an organization to become part of someone’s life is found in the following three secrets:

1. Make me feel important

2. Make me feel comfortable

3. Make me feel accepted for who I am and what I believe in

Why do people feel important when they donate money to a charity that benefit people they never see? They feel that they are making a difference even though they hardly ever see the results. If just 12% of the approximately 400,000 unaffiliated South Florida Jewish residents allow a synagogue to be part of their lives by becoming members (then never show up) they know that they are important because they are helping the shul to offer programs for other Jews that will be used, that is a great thing and tax deductible. This approach will stimulate interest and a partnership. When that is combined with state of the art spiritual, social and educational programing, that is powerful.

By the way, what makes a rabbi and cantor great? People want them to a part of their lives. That’s it, nothing more complicated than that.

When people do come into the synagogue for any reason, the clergy, board member, greeter or usher should call them by their name with a sincere welcome that makes someone feel important. If it was a retail shop that almost always happens. How can they remember all these people? When they join, take their picture and application that includes backgrounds and why they let the synagogue become part of their lives and send it to everyone. If they come once a year, month, whenever, in order to make them comfortable and not on the defensive simply reply – we are thrilled that we are together today.

It is a shame, isn’t it, that not everybody in the world is like you? What a great place this would be if we all shared the same ideals, values, beliefs, dress styles, etc. Sorry. It will never happen. And yet, we all try and convince people that they should see things our way. Any failure to do so makes them (fill in the blank). The blank is – “not accepted for who they are and what they believe in.” “We are a diverse people with different beliefs.” “Be happy for them that we are a part of their life.” “Don’t pressure them to volunteer since we do.” and “Don’t tell them to come to shul if that is not what they normally do, etc.”

Jewish people question everything. That’s our nature – who we are. When someone says – “I want to be educated,” they are looking for answers to their unanswered questions. The answers can be delivered from the pulpit or a class. Want to join someone’s life? Be the one who fills the gap. Lifelong learning programs for adults are a great way to be a part of a person’s life.

Ah yes, fundraising. When does it stop? The moment people start giving money without being asked. Now I have gone off the deep end. Why is it that voters will pay for new sports stadiums (bonds, taxes increases etc.) that they go to once in a while and a big corporation (or owner) will make money and the players make millions? Because they see the results. The team has joined them. How do I know? They buy shirts, underwear, blankets, etc. Instead of always asking for donations and rarely telling people what is happening with the money, sell the dream, accept the funds, then show the results, then sell a new dream, etc.

This is part three of a series of articles. There were three types of readers, the 12% who are partners in life with a synagogue, the 88% who are not and the synagogue looking for lives to join.

After this year’s Jewish celebration of the High Holy days, let’s dream about 24% of the South Florida Jewish community who rejoined their youth as their synagogue of choice joined their lives once again.

Andy Greenberg is a lecturer and member of the board of directors at Temple Anshei Shalom and teaches at Temple Torat Emet, grades three through adult. He is an established lay leader of services, a Jewish educator for 25 years as well as participating in membership, ritual, youth, educational and search committees in the various cities that he has lived in. He wrote a song dedicated to Shabbat and lives in Lake Worth.

I have heard that one of the many reasons for not joining a synagogue in South Florida is that the Jewish community is so large, we can find Jews anywhere and not have to go join to “be with our people.”

This of course is true! We can be found in the over 55 communities, in the pool, clubhouse, Mah Jongg, Canasta, Jewish heritage clubs, book clubs, JCCs, etc. How can a synagogue compete with that especially since most of these activities are free or included in the HOA fees?

Ever hear the expression, “been there, done that?” The activities above are always with the same people! The synagogue provides an opening to include new people into our lives from all the communities in the area that we live.

The synagogue adds one dimension though that cannot be found anywhere else: “A spiritual experience of a lifetime.” Rarely does a person leave a worship service in a bad mood (unless the sermon is too long!) As a matter of fact, research has shown that in any religion, the more one observes the happier they are. The same research, compiled by the Gallup Poll of over 300,000 Americans published in 2013 concluded that the Jewish people are the happiest in the country and the 12% that are affiliated therefore are near the top of the list.

A synagogue is a safe place to be! A Stanley Morgan survey about safety concluded that being in a synagogue is the safest place to be.

*20% of all fatal accidents occur in automobiles.

*17% of all accidents occur in the home.

*14% of all accidents involve pedestrians.

*16% of all accidents involve travel by air, rail, or water.

*32% of all deaths occur in hospitals.

Happily, however, only point .001% of all deaths occur during synagogue services, and these are usually related to previous physical conditions.

In addition to the ideas published in the last article for synagogues to offer, here are a few more.

1. At the beginning of the school year, have each parent walk down the synagogue main aisle on the first day of school or Shabbat with their student and delivered to the teacher (like a bride marching down the aisle). As they walk down a narrator tells the crowd who they are, what they like and why they are glad to be here.

2. Programming can include Jewish cooking contests and arts crafts for adults and families.

3. Synagogues expansion of Talmud Torah to include high school classes. Temple Torat Emet in Boynton Beach is anticipating 41 students this year and 30 adults who signed up for a similar course.

4. Evening programming can be provide great shows like Temple Anshei Shalom in Delray Beach that attracts an average of 500 people for the monthly performance and other events during the year.

5. Online registration for all courses should be part of a website

6. Synagogues should create gatherings for widows and widowers looking for companionship outside of the communities they live in.

7. Just like any other speaker who published their theme, topic or message in advance, rabbi’s should promote the Life Enriching Message of the week ( If a donkey could talk, would you listen? What hidden messages are we not listening to every day?)

Every year we review our insurance policies and look for options. Same old, same old will keep us old. Shul shopping is a great way to insure that we are getting the most out of life by joining.

Andy Greenberg is a lecturer and member of the board of directors at Temple Anshei Shalom and teaches at Temple Torat Emet, grades three through adult. He is an established lay leader of services, a Jewish educator for 25 years as well as participating in membership, ritual, youth, educational and search committees in the various cities that he has lived in. He wrote a song dedicated to Shabbat and lives in Lake Worth.