The Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy middle school once again had the privilege of hosting Rabbi Chaim Marcus of Congregation Israel in Springfield. Rabbi Marcus has the ability to engage all types of students through his warmth, storytelling and erudition. His passion for Torah, tefillah and Judaism is always palpable and an inspiration to all.

For more than 10 years, Rabbi Marcus has joined the middle school before the Yamim Noraim to deliver words of inspiration to the students. This year, he taught students that the most important part of doing teshuva is not reminding ourselves of what we “didn’t do,” but telling ourselves what we “can do.” Rabbi Marcus also led students in recitation of Tehillim as they joined together with Jews all around the world to mark the Day of Jewish Unity orchestrated by Acheinu in an effort to unify all Jewish people from around the world in a day of peace and prayer.