I've been asked a lot of questions about how to navigate this time we are in of such great uncertainty. Some people are experiencing extreme or mild anxiety. Others feel bored, and others have suddenly so many online opportunities to learn and connect that they are having a hard time choosing. Other people feel beset by "shoulds" - "I should be motivated Continue Reading
A Prayer For One Who Enters A Synagogue
I wrote this prayer after the massacre of Jews at prayer at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. A gunman, stoked by the anti-immigrant rhetoric and desiring to do harm to the synagogue which was connected to Jewish efforts to support immigrants and asylum seekers, stormed into the synagogue on Shabbat, spraying bullets everywhere. Unfortunately, Continue Reading
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 Continue Reading
what’s born from the rubble
Today is Tisha B'Av (the 9th day of the month of Av.) It's the day the ancient temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. Our sages met challenge of the "center not holding" with creativity and resilience. If it weren't for those rabbis, who created new ways of praying, connecting with the Divine, and gathering together, we most likely wouldn't be here today, as Continue Reading