The Backstory: RENEW
Last month, the weight of the pandemic felt personally unbearable. A go-to strategy to relieve despair and renew my own spirit is to reach out to see if perhaps others can relate. I hopped onto Twitter with this simple question: “What is one word you’d use to describe your emotional state right now? Mine is …
Prayer for Yom Kippur
In the next 25 hours, as you gather together to participate in Yom Kippur prayer services, in-person or online – Or perhaps you take silent time at the beach to contemplate your last year – Reflect: What & from whom did you learn? Who did you hurt, intentionally or otherwise? What amends do you need …
Do The Cosmic Turn: Teshuvah
High Holy Day Soul Work, Part 4 The cosmic principle of the entire High Holy Day season is teshuvah – to turn. Unfortunately, it is often translated as “repentance” which sounds severe and judgmental. However, teshuvah actually means “to turn, return, restore.” My teacher, Rabbi Lawrence Kushner writes of teshuvah: “All God ever says is …
Prepare Your Soul: Brokenness & Wholeness; Part 2
High Holy Day Soul-Work, Part 2 The overarching theme of the High Holy Days is acknowledging brokenness and seeking wholeness. In last week’s blog post, I wrote about how essential it is for each of us to “do our own soul work” during the month of Elul, the month that precedes Rosh Hashanah. Several core …
Elul Reflection: From Pain to Miracle; Part 3
High Holy Day Soul-Work We have the entire month of Elul (which precedes the Jewish High Holy Days) to do the essential soul reflection necessary to make this time meaningful. When we take this month seriously, a transformation of our very selves is possible. The fundamental journey at this time of year is one from …
Day One: Journey of the Soul: Making the Omer Count 2019
DAY ONE* (begins Saturday evening April 20, 2019, after sundown) Welcome to the first day of the journey. This week’s kavannah (intention) at the journey’s beginning is Waking Up. Every journey begins with a call: the moment when we become aware. Whether the “call” is internal or external, quiet or quite loud, there are moments in our …
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 …
