The moments that test our humanity have a way of returning. In the spring of 2020, as images of separated families and children in cages pierced our collective consciousness, something beautiful emerged alongside the heartbreak. Voices rose from every corner of our communities—neighbors, friends, strangers —all refusing to let cruelty masquerade as policy. In that …
Check out the timeless, poetic wisdom of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in bite-size pieces on my Pinterest board. I’ve taken Heschel’s “greatest hits” from his classic book, The Sabbath in the hope of inspiring us all to take time to unplug, be present, and appreciate what is. Rabbi Heschel’s wisdom is timeless and poetic. He …
We live in a world that can batter our fragile souls. Harsh words, outright violence, destruction, suffering… We all need a safe place to return, to receive kindness, hugs, and comfort. We seek out people who see the best in us, bring compassion to us when we are hurting or ill. For some of us, it’s easy …
One of the most joyful times of my life was the year I spent becoming certified as a Master Gardener. As part of my training, I attended a lecture by a talented landscape gardener whose speciality was “Entrances.” He taught that the garden plantings leading up to your doorway set the tone for your guest’s …
I fell. Really hard. Picture one of those slow motion falls. Yesterday, I was at the synagogue doing a rehearsal with a bat mitzvah student and I tumbled off the bima (platform) down a whole bunch of steps, hitting my chin on the piano pedals (I’m sure it was a completely graceful fall, aren’t you?) My …
I don’t know how you are doing lately – but an awful lot of people I know are feeling overwhelmed, too busy, burdened by the energy of the season and many are struggling to walk through family illnesses and loss and economic difficulties. The end of the year often tends to be like this. Perhaps we …
Here is a wonderful Hanukkah Candles Meditation I learned from my teacher Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appel. This is my interpretation and some additions. (To hear Jordan’s original video teaching, see the link below.) Meditation 1. Before you light the candles, arrange everything: menorah, candles and matches, blessing. 2. Sit for a few moments in the darkness, …
You may have heard about the recently released “disastrous” Pew study* of Jewish life. I’ve been on several conference calls where you could hear the wringing of hands. Why is the professional liberal Jewish world panicking? It’s a wide-ranging study covering many topics but here are a few of the numbers that are causing the …
Endings are difficult. When we were at the last retreat of our Institute for Jewish Spirituality rabbinic cohort – 2 years of study, practice, and deep friendships, Rabbi Nancy Flam taught, in the name of Rachael Kessler (z”l) to really pay attention to what we do when we are at the end of something: do we …
On the 17th day of the month of Elul, we are now on the other side of the full moon, leaning into Rosh Hashanah. Will we be ready? More than preparing the menu or our new clothes, we still have time to awaken our souls from the sleep we may have been in. It’s not …
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