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 upset: the intermarriage Continue Reading
Endings #BlogElul Day 24
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 slip away quietly so we don't have to deal with Continue Reading
Awaken #BlogElul 17
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 to feel bad - it's a natural rhythm of sleep, awake, sleep awake. But now is the time to Continue Reading
Forgiveness #BlogElul day 13
As we walk our way towards the new year, today's Elul topic is FORGIVE. It's absolutely one of the most significant things we can do in spiritually preparing ourselves for the High Holy Days. Let's just say that this is easier said than done, especially when we've been hurt badly. It involves digging deep, taking responsibility for where we may have played Continue Reading
Elul day 10: Seeing — #BlogElul
When we "see" how wide is our frame ? For ex, if a loved one is impatient with us, do we also see (and remember) all the times s/he is patient? The Hasidic mas ter s often talk about "narrow consciousness - mochin d'katanut" vs. "expanded consciousness - mochin d'gadlut." Yes, we see what we see, but from what vantage point? One can have an incredibly Continue Reading
