Beit Ahavah in the News

The Daily Hampshire Gazette, 2/05/20: “The witnesses: Jewish activist group heads to U.S.-Mexico border” – Ten members of the Jewish Activists for Immigration Justice of Western Massachusetts are arriving in Brownsville, Texas on Saturday, Feb. 8 to provide assistance and comfort to children and families being forced to live in what may be both dangerous and squalid conditions.
Mass Live, 10/30/18: “Hundreds in Northampton remember victims of Pittsburgh synagogue shootings” – Over 600 from the Jewish community, their friends and supporters of different faiths gathered in an emotional vigil two days after a gunman killed 11 people worshiping at the Tree of Life synagogue to grieve, pray and gather together led by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske, Rabbi Justin David and Rabbi Andrew Hahn.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, 10/29/18: “Crowds Join Vigil in Northampton in honor of 11 slain at Pittsburgh Synagogue” – On Monday evening, well over a hundred people including the mayor walked a mile with candles in hand from the Unitarian Society downtown to join hundreds at Congregation B’nai Israel in a community vigil gathering of standing room only led by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske and Rabbi Justin David in response to the anti-Semitic killing of 11 people at Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, 9/10/18: “Reform synagogue welcomes all-comers for New Year” – Welcoming ambiance is a vital aspect of the synagogue’s mission. “We encourage anyone who’s curious… and would like to come along,” Lauri Meade said.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, 5/13/18: “Northampton’s Reform Synagogue Celebrates 20 Years” – Read about the amazing time had at our 20th Anniversary Celebration from May 12 and see pictures from Shabbat B’Yachad- “Sabbath Together”.
Valley Advocate, 2/09/18: “Western Mass Dreamers & Jewish Community Rally” – Rabbi Riqi Kosovske of Beit Ahavah Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton spoke to a crowd of more than 200 people during a frigid Feb 8 rally on the front steps on Northampton City Hall that the Jewish community in the Pioneer Valley stands with undocumented immigrants and dreamers.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, 3/14/17: “Columnist Riqi Kosovske: Say yes to love – love always wins” – Rabbi Riqi’s remarks from the interfaith rally to support the Jewish community held at the Springfield Jewish Community Center.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, 2/21/17: “Tot Shabbat: Monthly service in Florence aims to teach the youngest children Jewish prayers and rituals” – Families with young children share the magical importance of Beit Ahavah’s popular Tot Shabbat community in their lives.
WHMP, 2/16/17: The Bill Newman Show, “Rebel Rabbis” – Listen to the podcast of a very moving edition of “The Reverend and the Rabbi” featuring Rabbi Riqi Kosovske, Rabbi Justin David and Rev. Peter Ives.
The Springfield Republican, 2/7/17: “Northampton Rabbi Justin David arrested in New York City during protest against President Donald Trump’s travel ban“ The Daily Hampshire Gazette, 2/7/17: “Northampton rabbi arrested in NYC demonstration” – Rabbi Riqi Kosovske among hundreds of T’ruah Rabbis protesting President Donald Trump’s executive order banning travel to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority countries.
New England Public Radio, 1/30/17: “After Preparing To Welcome Refugees, Northampton Now Waits” – Kathryn Buckley-Brawner of Catholic Charities speaks at Beit Ahavah.
Times Of Israel, 1/22/17: “Reflecting The Torah Portion, Joyous Rebellion As Women March” – Rabbi Riqi Kosovske interviewed by the Times of Israel at the Women’s March in DC!
HAIS, 1/18/17: “1,500+ Rabbis Sign National Letter Calling for Welcoming Refugees” – Rabbi Riqi Kosovske has signed this rabbinic national letter from HIAS calling for Welcoming Refugees
Kveller: “Is Breastfeeding in Public Modest?” – Avital Norman Nathan gets advice from Rabbi Riqi Kosovske on Judaism and breastfeeding in public.
The Massachusetts Jewish Ledger, 12/11/14: “Who Are 2014’s Movers and Shakers?” – Rabbi Riqi Kosovske is featured as one of the Jewish Ledger awardees!
The Daily Hampshire Gazette, 11/7/14: “After solemn religious observance of Yom Kippur, a feast breaks the fast” – On the special uplifting day of Yom Kippur which is Beit Ahavah’s spin on the holiday.
JPRWire, 9/22/14: “Shofars blowing and Noah’s ark rolling make for strong Jewish presence at the People’s Climate March” – Rabbi Riqi Kosovske is interviewed at the Climate March in New York City where she travelled with a bus of Jewish activists from the Pioneer Valley.
The Massachusetts Jewish Ledger, 12/14/12: “Beit Ahavah to unveil Solar Ner Tamid” – Read the story of Beit Ahavah’s innovative and world’s only Battery-Operated Solar Ner Tamid (Eternal Light) on our portable Ark, the incredible 1st Light dedication ceremony on Chanukah, and the URJ Incubator Grant.
The Springfield Republican, 8/24/11: “3 Female Rabbis to Discuss Evolving Role of Women Rabbis During Springfield Jewish Community Center Educational Program” – Rabbi Riqi Kosovske is featured in a riveting panel discussion with an Orthodox, Reform and Conservative woman rabbi.
University of Chicago Law School, 3/1/10: “Transgender and Intersex in Jewish Law” – Hear the University of Chicago conference panel discussion that highlights the presentation by Rabbi Riqi Kosovske and member Jennifer Levi, titled “A Category unto its Own: Ancient Rabbinic Taxonomy of Six Gender Identities and Challenges to Binary Gender Rules.”