Capital Campaign Donor Spotlight: Meet Janet Behringer, Jaime & Michael Cohen, and Diana & Brad Behringer

Appearing from Left to Right: Jaime and Michael Cohen and their children, Claire, Ryan, and Lucy | Janet and Robert z”l Behringer | Diana and Brad Behringer and their children, Mylo, Bella, and Bertie.

What initially drew your family to Anshai Torah, and what keeps you connected to the community?

For over 20 years, we have called Anshai Torah our home. Undoubtedly, the sense of belonging and being a part of a welcoming community was what initially drew us to Anshai Torah. Our machatunim, Trudy and Leon Cohen were original members and seeing their commitment and dedication to Anshai was an initial draw for us.  The enthusiasm of Rabbi Weinberg, and the comfort we felt as part of the congregation was a breath of fresh air for us all.  Life can be busy but we have always felt an unwavering connection there, as we are always met with open arms by the welcoming Anshai community. 

What is a meaningful Anshai Torah experience or moment that stands out to you? 

There are so many, including being a part of Project 613 and the dedication of Wende’s Torah, our life milestones, including weddings, baby namings and Bat Mitzvahs, to name a few, but one that stands out is the completion and dedication of the Sanctuary. As the Anshai community grew, High Holidays were held at the Plano Civic Center. Services were always warm and welcoming, but being able to gather and pray in a space of our own was something we dreamed of. Once that dream became a reality and the sanctuary was completed we knew we would always have a space of our own and place to call home. 

Why do you believe it is important to support Anshai’s capital campaign at this time? 

In our lifetimes, there has never been a more significant time to support our Jewish organizations and places of prayer more than now. Ensuring that Anshai Torah remains strong as our community grows is vital so that we are able to meet the needs of our community and of future generations. 

What is your hope for the future of Anshai Torah? 

Our hope for the future of Anshai Torah is that it will always be a home away from home for our Jewish community and that it can grow both in size and in vision along with our children and the future generations. As the torch is passed to Rabbi Kushnick, we know the congregation is in great hands and the future is bright!

In 3 words or less, what do you love most about Anshai Torah? 

Warmth, Welcoming, Community

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We are nearing the end of our campaign deadline, but there is still plenty of opportunity to participate in our 25 Years Together Capital Campaign.  We have almost reached our goal of $8Million. You can help us get there!  Donations will ensure our facilities meet our needs for the next 25 years and beyond.  To learn more or participate, please click here or contact Alisa Makler alisamakler@gmail.com or Nicole Post npost17@gmail.com for more details.

Q&A: Meet Anshai’s New Cantor

Cantor Matt Austerklein, his wife, Rabbi Elyssa Joy Austerklein, and their kids, Georgie and Beatrice.

We’re thrilled to welcome Matt Austerklein as the newest member of our clergy team at Anshai Torah. Matt brings a deep love for Jewish music, a passion for teaching, and a heartfelt commitment to building community. As he and his family prepare for their move to Dallas, we had the chance to sit down with him and learn more about his journey, his vision, and what excites him most about joining our congregation.

What makes Anshai feel different?

From the very first conversations, there was this sense of warmth, sincerity, and deep connection. My family and I had been in other communities, but Anshai just felt different. What sealed it for us was how genuinely people embraced our whole family -- not just me, but my wife, Rabbi Elyssa Joy Austerklein, and our kids, Georgie and Beatrice. They immediately had people who wanted to know them, kids to play with, places to run around. We felt like people were truly looking out for us. That’s what you want in a religious community, a place where people look out for each other. It felt like home.

When do you start?

I officially begin August 1, 2025. We’ll be settling in over the next couple of months, getting our bearings. Dallas is a big town but we’re excited to start this next chapter.

What are you most excited about?

Meeting everybody. That’s the great thing about working in a synagogue, you meet people from all walks of life and connect with them through Torah, prayer, and music. That’s the easy and fun part for me. I love learning how people connect spiritually through music, it’s a way to find God, to express the soul, and to feel something real. I’m always looking to meet people where their heart leads them.

What does a cantor do?

A cantor is kind of like a music minister, but in modern congregational life, it’s a lot more. I lead services, teach, preach, officiate life cycle events, and offer pastoral care. I function as a full clergy person. While I may not have a rabbi’s legal training, I serve in every other way and music is the foundation I bring to all of it.

Have you always practiced music?

Since I was five. I was that kid running up and down the synagogue aisles singing at the top of my lungs. For my bar mitzvah, I learned a lot of traditional liturgy and people just kept asking me to come back and lead. Synagogue became a place where I felt at home and it still is.

What were you doing before Anshai?

I spent about ten years in full-time cantorial roles in Conservative synagogues. Then I had the opportunity to be a faculty research fellow at Oxford University where I studied how the role of the cantor evolved from a function into a deep spiritual vocation. For the last few years, I’ve been working on my PhD in Jewish studies (remotely) at the University of Halle-Wittenberg. I just finished my dissertation and have been combining that academic work with part-time cantorial ministry and lecturing around the country.

Why does G-d care about music?

Music models human community. It shows how we relate to each other, whether we’re singing together or being sung to, the dynamic shifts. Even people with memory loss often respond to music in ways that feel almost miraculous, something comes back to life in them. I believe G-d speaks through that part of us. Music touches something primal. It’s how we organize our spirit, connect with each other, and reach toward the Divine. That’s why I think God cares deeply about music.

What else should we know about you?

I’m a writer and a teacher. I’ve been publishing weekly reflections on Jewish music for nearly two years on Substack. Sometimes it’s scholarly, sometimes it’s more pop culture or contemporary, but it’s always meant to help people connect. I also have a little creative project produced by UCLA called Jewish Music Guy where I make fun, educational videos because sometimes joy is the best teacher. I also love Irish music and have done a Yiddish-Irish pub sing for the last three years. And I’m a big Shakespeare fan and have led “Jewish-Shakespeare Weeks” at both synagogues and universities — something I’d be excited to bring to here to Dallas.

Connection & Storytelling: Why Passover is the most observed Jewish holiday of the year

In just a few days, Jewish families around the world will gather to celebrate Passover—Pesach in Hebrew—by retelling the story of the Exodus from Egypt. Of all the Jewish holidays, more Jews observe Passover than any other. Why? Because the Seder isn’t just a ritual—it’s an experience that takes place in the heart of the Jewish home.

We gather around the table not just to eat, but to talk. To ask questions. To share stories. And most importantly, to pass on our values. The Seder is a built-in opportunity to pause from our hectic lives and sit face-to-face with our children and grandchildren. It’s a rare chance to be fully present—to communicate what truly matters, to share what we believe in, and to make sure the next generation knows who they are and where they come from.

This is also a time to reflect on our connection to Israel. Regardless of political views or the news of the day, Israel remains a central part of Jewish identity. It has been part of our prayers for millennia. And today, especially when the Jewish world feels increasingly vulnerable, it is more important than ever to reaffirm that connection—not as a political statement, but as a reflection of peoplehood, heritage, and responsibility.

The Seder also reminds us of empathy. As we recite the ten plagues and remove drops of wine from our cups, we acknowledge that even in moments of our own redemption, we cannot ignore the suffering of others. That deep moral awareness—of standing up for those without a voice—has defined the Jewish people for generations.

So as you prepare for your Seder, take a moment to think about the conversations you want to have. The values you want to share. The stories you want to pass down. Because this night is about more than what happened thousands of years ago—it’s about who we are today.

Shabbat Shalom v’Hag kasher v’sameach. Wishing you a peaceful Shabbat, and a meaningful and joyous Pesach.

When Faith Fails: Why We Keep Building Our Own Golden Calves (and How It Holds Us Back)

There are moments in life when we feel lost, when we don’t know what comes next, and when fear takes over. In those moments, instead of confronting the challenge head-on, we look for something—anything—that makes us feel safe. But sometimes, what we grab onto isn’t real security at all. It’s just a distraction.

This week’s Torah portion tells that story. Moses disappears at the top of Mount Sinai, engulfed in thunder, lightning, and mystery. The Israelites, left at the base of the mountain, feel abandoned. Even after everything they’ve witnessed—the miracles in Egypt, the splitting of the Red Sea—they panic. They convince themselves that if they can just create something tangible, something visible, their fears will go away. And so, they build the Golden Calf.

I wonder how often we do the same thing. When we feel overwhelmed, do we reach for an easy escape? Do we rewrite our own story rather than sit with our discomfort? It’s easier to turn away than to face what’s in front of us. But that never actually solves the problem. It just delays the inevitable.

Fear and uncertainty are a part of life. There will always be moments when we feel unsure of ourselves, when the world seems chaotic, and when we are tempted to take the easy way out. But the voice from Sinai still calls to us, urging us to choose honesty over illusion, responsibility over avoidance, and faith over panic.

May we all find the courage to meet life’s challenges with integrity, and may we build a future that reflects the best of who we are.

Why Does Yom Kippur Hint at Purim? The Surprising Link

At first glance, Yom Kippur and Purim could not seem more different. One is a day of fasting, reflection, and prayer. The other is a time of laughter, costumes, and feasting. But when you take a step back, you begin to see how these two days create a powerful arc in our spiritual lives.

In our recent Lunch and Learn session of What Would Moses Do?, we explored this connection. The name Yom Kippur can be read as Yom K’Purim, meaning “a day like Purim.” That idea alone changes how we think about these holidays. How can the most serious day of the year be anything like one of the most joyous?

The answer is found in the journey these days create. Yom Kippur asks us to stop, reflect, and make changes. It is a day of honesty, of looking at ourselves with humility and setting new intentions. It is about reaching toward something higher. Then, months later, Purim arrives, almost like a response. If Yom Kippur is about asking how we can do better, Purim is about living that change with joy. It reminds us that life is unpredictable and that faith, humor, and community are what help us move forward.

Both days call us to step beyond ourselves. Yom Kippur strips away distractions and asks us to dig deep. Purim brings us back into the world, celebrating the messy, beautiful, and often unexpected ways that life unfolds. One is serious. The other is playful. But both teach us that we are part of something bigger.

As we get ready for Purim, it is easy to focus on the fun—the costumes, the jokes, the party atmosphere. But there is meaning beneath it all. The story of Purim reminds us of resilience, of standing together, of finding light even in dark times. Just as Yom Kippur challenges us to change, Purim reminds us to embrace life with gratitude and joy.

So as we celebrate, let’s hold onto both the fun and the meaning. Chag Purim Sameach!

And if you found this discussion interesting, come join us for our next Lunch and Learn. There is always more to explore, and we would love to have you in the conversation.

A Year Later: Standing Together in Solidarity In Israel

Reflect. Remember. Stand with Israel—Reflecting on My Trip After October 7th

A year ago, I stood with many from our congregation on the soil of Kibbutz Zikim, witnessing firsthand the destruction that had unfolded. The images are burned into my memory—the shattered homes, the remnants of lives interrupted, and the overwhelming sense of loss. We were there not as visitors, but as family. Because when our brothers and sisters in Israel suffer, we feel it, too.

Traveling from Dallas, we weren’t just bringing words of support; we were carrying the weight of our collective responsibility. In that moment, as we stood among the ruins, we knew that our presence mattered. It wasn’t just about seeing—it was about standing together, about affirming that we are one people, no matter where we are, and that no one should ever feel alone.

Since that visit, our connection to Kibbutz Zikim has deepened. This past week, our Jewish Federation received a letter from its members—people we met during that trip, people who were rebuilding their lives one step at a time. They wrote of the unimaginable hardships they endured, of the fear and uncertainty that became part of their daily lives. And yet, they also spoke of hope. They described how our visit reminded them that they were not forgotten, that there were people halfway across the world who saw their pain and stood with them.

In their words, they expressed gratitude—not just for the support we have given, but for the strength they have drawn from knowing they are not alone. They shared how the simple act of showing up, of listening, of standing beside them in solidarity, has helped them find the courage to rebuild.

We adopted this kibbutz because their challenges became our challenges. Their fears became our concerns. And as we reflect on this past year, one thing remains clear: The bonds of our people are unbreakable. When one part of our community is in pain, we don’t turn away. We lean in. We show up.

A year ago, we walked through destruction. Today, we walk alongside those rebuilding. And tomorrow, we will continue to stand together, because that’s who we are. That’s what it means to be part of this Jewish community.

Plano City Council Recognizes Holocaust Remembrance Day

Thank you to Mayor John Mums and Plano City Council for recognizing Holocaust Remembrance Day and inviting Rabbi Weinberg to pray at the city council meeting. We are thankful for a mayor and city council that is willing to stand agianst hatred in our community and around the world. Rabbi Weinberg said this weekend,

Interview with Matti Friedman

Q: Do you think the American media is fair in its coverage of Israel?

A: I think media coverage of Israel is fair. I think a lot of media covering Israel are actually not really interested in the complexities of a very small and complicated country in the Middle East, but are actually projecting American ideas onto another place. Often, this results in an oversimplification of a very complex set of issues in Israel.

Israel is in the Middle East; it doesn't reflect American ideas of race or American ideas of the power imbalance that Americans experience in their day-to-day lives. It’s a story about very complicated currents in the Middle East, and Israel is a very small country in one corner of a region that is, unfortunately, awash in conflict.

Some media outlets engage in political activism and try to swing people toward a certain political viewpoint. That’s true on the left and, to some extent, on the right as well. But mainly, American reporters tend to project their own American ideas onto foreign countries, including Israel, and it results in coverage that does not help anyone truly understand what’s happening in the state of Israel.

Q: Can you give an example of how American issues, such as race, are projected onto Israel?

A: One example is the idea that Israelis are somehow white people and Palestinians are somehow linked to African Americans, as if there is an analogy between Israeli Jews in the Middle East and Palestinian Muslims in the Middle East that aligns with civil rights struggles in America.

I understand why race is such a huge issue for Americans. I have spent a lot of time in America and understand why that’s almost the defining issue for many. But if you use that lens to understand a foreign country like Israel, you won’t get anywhere.

The number of Jews in Israel is about 7 million. In the region around Israel, there are about 300 million Arab Muslims. If you zoom out further, you’ll see that in the Islamic world, there are about 2 billion people. Israelis don’t feel like an empowered majority; rather, they feel like an embattled minority in a region where they are outnumbered.

I’m not saying that everything Israel does is just or smart, but it cannot be understood through the racial framework Americans use for their own issues.

Q: One of the big narratives in America is that Israel is an occupying force. How do you respond to that?

A: A lot of terminology used, such as "occupation," carries meanings for Americans that are rooted in their own historical context, like the occupation of Iraq or even Vietnam. This leads to misunderstandings about Israel’s position.

For Jews, Israel is the homeland; it’s where the Jewish people were created. It’s not a colonialist adventure—it’s an attempt to return home and find a place where Jewish people can be safe and express their own culture. So it doesn’t match narratives like the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.

There is a military occupation in the West Bank, and that’s a significant issue for Israelis. We debate it all the time—whether it is necessary, what happens if we end it, and what would take its place. These are thorny issues.

However, Americans often don’t grasp the size of Israel. We’re sitting here in Texas, where you can drive for 14 hours and still be in the state. Israel is about seven hours from top to bottom. If we pull out of the West Bank, the border would be about a five-minute walk from my house. There’s no vast desert buffer like Nevada between Israel and its neighbors. The margins for error are very small, and that’s a reality that is hard for Americans to grasp.

Q: What are the biggest myths Americans have about Israel?

A: Americans often imagine Israel to be a kind of mini-America, a superpower with nothing existential to worry about. This makes it hard to understand Israel’s military decisions and fears.

In the Middle East, if you’re a tiny minority—7 million Jews surrounded by 300 million Arab Muslims—it doesn’t feel like America. The experience of an Israeli is not the experience of an American who generally does not have to worry about existential threats.

Israelis feel deeply vulnerable. That feeling is sometimes exaggerated, but sometimes it is very real. The amount of military strength Israel maintains is directly related to this vulnerability. If you’re the smallest kid on the playground, you’d better be the toughest kid on the playground, or you won’t be there for long. That’s how Israelis think, but it doesn’t always translate into American news coverage.

Q: What would help Americans better understand the current situation in Israel?

A: To understand the current state of affairs, Americans need to look at the broader region. There are conflicts in Gaza, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. These are not isolated events—they are interconnected.

The collapse of stability in the Islamic Middle East over the past few decades has led to the rise of groups like Hamas, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS. If you understand that history, you can see why events like 9/11, terror attacks in Europe, and the Syrian Civil War are all connected.

This context helps in understanding Israel’s decisions. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with all of them, but at least you’ll understand why they happen. If you view Israel in a vacuum without considering the broader regional dynamics, you won’t fully grasp what’s happening.

Q: What are the key factors for peace moving forward?

A: Israelis deeply desire peace. In the past, we believed territorial concessions would lead to peace—giving up land in exchange for stability. That was a very 1990s idea, based on the assumption that democracy and stability were the global norm.

But over the past few decades, we’ve had to confront a different reality. The world is heading toward more chaos, and institutions we thought were stable are cracking. In the Middle East, when you create a power vacuum, it’s not filled with peace or democracy; it’s filled by chaos, by groups like Hamas, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS.

This has happened repeatedly—in Gaza after Israel withdrew in 2005, in Iraq after the American invasion, and in Libya and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, in the Middle East, peace is not something you can expect. At best, you hope for a few years of quiet before the next conflict.

Q: What’s something rarely discussed in media coverage of Israel?

A: One major missing piece is the composition of Israel’s Jewish population. More than half of Jews in Israel came from the Islamic world. While American Jews are mostly of Eastern European descent, Israeli Jews have roots in Morocco, Tunisia, Iran, Kurdistan, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon.

This shapes Israel’s culture in profound ways. The food, the humor, and even the outlook on life are different from American Judaism. Many assume Israel is a European implant in the Middle East, but in reality, Israel is deeply connected to the history of the Islamic Middle East. Understanding that makes Israel's story more complex—but also more accurate.