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The BEST Potato Latkes Ever (I promise!)
I like my latkes thin, crispy and traditional (read: russet potatoes.) This is my winner recipe that I’ve been using for years. I deem it “excellent” as you can see by my photo.
Messengers of the Most High: A 9/11 miracle
What Happened First It is bedtime on this second day of Rosh Hashanah – 9/11/2019, but I can’t go to sleep before putting this story to paper. What happened today will forever be a reminder of grace, miracles and the unexplained mystery that weaves throughout our lives, that sometimes I’m lucky enough to catch a …
Prayers Alone Are Not Enough
2018. We are an entire nation in shock by the senseless death of 17 in Parkland, Florida by a lone gunman with an assault weapon. An increasing number of us don’t want to hear “our thoughts and prayers are with the victims” from our elected officials. No, that doesn’t cut it anymore. In Jewish tradition, …
The Year of New Vision (updated for 20/20)
(Note: I wrote this in January of 2018. Since we have now entered 2020 – the year of “perfect vision” – I thought it was good to re-visit. My friend and amazing poet Devon Spier and I co-wrote the poem/meditation at the end.) The Back Story At first, I thought my clouded vision meant that …
The Spiritual Practice of Gratitude
Noticing blessings is a profound spiritual practice that can be an antidote to despair. In even the darkest night, a pinprick of light illuminates. Upon waking, one’s attention may be called to all the aches and pain; notice what’s not hurting. When you lose someone special, call to mind all that you learned from her. This …
truth that cleanses: a poem-prayer #MeToo
A prayer-poem I wrote after reading and listening to the stories being uncovered now, some being told for the first time. When the truth is revealed, healing can begin. It’s not always easy to listen, but we all need to develop the courage to keep opening up, sharing, and listening. The process includes healing the …
prayer-poem #metoo
Blessed are those who reveal painful truths, and blessed are those who bear witness. Blessed are those whose unspoken story simmers underneath, affecting some parts of life, or coloring everything. May our hearts be large enough to hold them all. Let us make each community a tapestry woven with honesty, a safe space …
healing prayer #MeToo
Strengthen those who finally speak up, Create safety for stories to emerge, Embolden our community to examine itself, Shine the light on abusive power, Commit to holiness in every relationship, No matter how small the interaction, Holy holy holy, may we be. Rabbi Jill Berkson Zimmerman
Morning Meditation
If you have a sensitive heart I’m guessing your heart is bruised these days – maybe even broken. It’s painful these days – stories of degradation, a culture slipped into incivility. Images of suffering daily, constant, overwhelming. The earth itself cries out with swirling winds, fire and water: don’t forget me. What …
who what where why god?
what is god? Where is God? who is god? is God looking for me? God is too big and too small to name – words can only attempt, approximate, give a feel for, the experience. One reason poetry and music are wonderful in god-discussions is because they speak the language of metaphor. Metaphor frees us …