Cantor Marc Stober

Just in time for Purim, I’ve added the megillot—including “the Megillah,” Megillat Esther—to Parshio, my alternative tikkun-like web app. Read more about this update at https://www.marcstober.com/fmv/parshio-is-ready-for-purim/ or check it out at
https://parsh.io/app/esther/1/1/-1/22.

Parshio Is Ready for Purim Just in time for Purim, I’ve added the megillot—including “the Megillah,” Megillat Esther—to Parshio, my alternative tikkun-like web app. Take a look at https://parsh.io. Also, the text has been updated with the latest updates from the Miqra according to the Masorah project, the same sourc...

"Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals." --Martin Luther King

(Photo by ThisIsEngineering from Pexels. Shows a handshake where one of the people has a prosthetic hand.)

Shanah Tovah! See my message: https://tinyletter.com/marcstober/letters/shanah-tovah

Shanah Tovah Monday night is Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. We begin the year 5782 according to the Hebrew calendar.

My next musical Friday Night service at Temple Israel!

August 20 Shabbat and BBQ! Join us for a Shabbat Service and Backyard BBQ lunch!

It's now easier to email Cantor Marc Stober

Cantor Marc Stober updated their business hours.

Cantor Marc Stober updated their website address.

A couple more pics from ordination yesterday with my kids and my colleagues @ Hebrew College

Be yourself. Color outside the lines. Happy pride month.

Home book scanner is one of my secret weapons. 📖➡️💻😁

Today is Memorial Day. I’ve been privileged to live without a serious threat of violence and at a time in history when violent conflict is rare. And it’s also worthwhile to remember that it happens. Sometimes use of force is unfortunately necessary. It’s wrong and immature to “cancel” every use of force. While today is about remembering American soldiers, it’s hard to feel a personal connection when our biggest wars were fought before I was born. I can’t help thinking about other situations going on in the world, and though. A year ago I protested because I believe Black Lives Matter. Recently some of my colleagues tried to draw a direct line from that to protesting Israel’s use of force in its conflict with Hamas. Reflecting on it today, I realize why their statement made me angry. It discounts all the people who have ever fought for peace and security as being no better than the convicted bad cop who killed George Floyd. And absolute statements made from across an ocean by people not involved are maybe centering the wrong people. I’m not sure that this post will change anyone’s mind but hopefully it will encourage some humble listening and love for the humans on all sides of an issue. And special gratitude for those who have made sacrifices so that others of us don’t have to.

Good morning sunshine 🌞

Green tea cheesecake tart (for the end of Shavuot) with recipe and powder from

Last day of Zoom Hebrew school! Grateful for affordable webcams and flat screen TVs. Looking forward to sitting together in person.

While I still have a few more requirements to fulfill before ordination - received a beautiful blessing from a friend and classmate, and got this cake delivered for a virtual version of the end of year tradition. So close I can taste it 😝

Matza brei for with a to wash it down.

Sukkot in April? How I passed my sukkot cantorial school exam finally! A lemon and a stick, no lulav and etrogs in the spring. 😂

Music serves many roles in the synagogue. A helpful way of understanding this is the “4 M’s” model of Cantor Benji-Ellen Schiller: Meeting, Meditation, Memory, and Majesty.

On Thursday, May 13 at 7:30, via live stream, I will present a program of music that I have learned in cantorial school that is meaningful to me, organized by the “M’s.” In between pieces, I will explain how cantors use music to elevate prayer and lifecycle ceremonies.

RSVP at link in bio to receive live stream link.

Not pictured, some people I’ve been doing spiritual/movement things with on Zoom that I was able to hang out a bit with IRL. Discussed how it feels right now a bit like the waters of the flood receding in the Noah’s Ark story. We’re not off the ark yet but see evidence of dry land.

Going old school with the wine this year! I know people these days do juice cleanses, Whole 30, intermittent fasting... well, Jewish practice gives us a lot of places to change our habits by changing what we eat, and Passover is the prime example. I’m not saying that Passover food has physiological benefits. I’m saying that it’s about physically doing something as a spiritual practice, becoming mentally stronger and morally better not just by thinking about it but my making a physical change that trains your brain. That’s what I think the tradition has figured out. How are you finding a spiritual, mental improvement in your physical Passover practice? P.s. Egyptian charoset (dates, raisins, wine, plus I added orange peel) simmering in the back.

Signs of spring, yesterday.

The sun shines every day and still sometimes its light shines in a new way.

Spent some time today teaching about “let my people go” - the need to demand freedom as a necessary step (but not the only step) towards making the world a better place. And how the song “Go Down Moses” was first sung by escaped black slaves in 1862 who also saw themselves in the Passover story with their demands for freedom.

So excited to have finally moved a section of my into my new space. So light no tools needed. Also will make me look smart by having books behind me on Zooms 😂. Thanks for help setting them up. Third pic is the original installation.

Need a few more people for this class to run. Let’s take this journey together... sign up today!

Why do we send our kids to Hebrew School? How do we fit in to non-Jewish societies while keeping our identity? What can I learn from Bible if I don't believe in or care about its stories? How did the Israelites we read about on Passover become the People of the Book?

These questions are answered in the later books of the Bible, which Jews don't read often. Books such as Chronicles, Daniel, Proverbs, and Ezra/Nehemia form the link between the ancient world of Torah stories and the beginnings of a lasting culture and philosophy. Let's read and discuss these books together

Four Tuesdays (3/9, 3/16, 3/30, 4/6) at 7pm on Zoom, $108, partially subsidized by CJP, additional financial assistance available. No experience necessary; texts will be provided online in translation and Hebrew (or bring your own Bible). Sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/yxe3zoct (clickable link on Facebook :)

Bialy hamentaschen, before and after baking, recipe from