Jewish traditions and the Haftarah prophetic readings

Religious traditions regarding the Haftarah—readings from the books of the Prophets—are being explored through both theological and communal lenses. The Haftarah readings during the seven weeks from Tish B’Av to Rosh HaShanah, known as the seven haftaroth of comfort, utilize the prophecies of Isaiah to offer messages of peace and stability for the Jewish people.

At Temple Micah, Rabbi educator Samantha Frank and the clergy team have worked to revitalize the Haftarah experience. Recognizing that the traditional link between the Torah portion and the Haftarah may not always feel resonant for modern congregants, Frank utilized the congregation’s Innovation Fund to research alternative prophetic texts. Her goal was to select stories and themes from the tradition that better uplift the worship experience and connect more deeply with the community.