In the initial shock of the aftermath of the October 7 massacres in Israel, and every day since people say to me: "I have no words." Whether they are speaking about the hostages, the slaughters, or the photos of young soldiers dying in Israel, or the children and innocents in Gaza who sit among the ruins - we have entered a time of profound sadness. For Continue Reading
Israel’s “Secular High Holy Days”
Israel’s memorial day, Yom HaZikaron, is celebrated on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. It is a national holiday that commemorates “fallen soldiers” – those that have given their lives for the county. And then within forty-eight hours, we celebrate Yom Ha’Atzma’ut, Israel Independence Day, which is today. A week ago, we honored those lost in the Holocaust on Yom Continue Reading
For the Women from Terezin and All Women Whose Food is Torah
This week, we commemorate Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. When we lived in Israel for a year, as part of my rabbinic training, I was asked to participate in a ceremony remembering the victims of the Holocaust. These ceremonies, many of which are centered around lighting 6 candles, one for each million people who perished, occur all over Israel. In Continue Reading
“We Can’t Allow Ourselves to Fall Into the Pit”
July 21, 2014 Today, I was fortunate to be on a conference call with an individual who spoke to my heart and my head and helped me remember and re-commit to what I have always believed: violence can never be the solution to resolving conflict or creating real lasting change. I have been asked by many people who were unable to be on the call with Dr. Continue Reading