The design of this season compels us to forgive, to open our hearts, and sometimes to re-experience wounds. Some of us have suffered profound trauma, at the hand of parents, partners, or friends, They might be fresh bruises or from many years ago - They bubble below the surface, having been pushed away, but now re-emerge, in the Continue Reading
Why Rosh Hashanah? Why Now? Who Cares?
Why Rosh Hashanah? Why ritual? Why come at all? (PS it begins Monday September 6 - yes, on Labor Day) Because -- in the midst of our “tsunami of tsuris” an eloquent phase my colleague Rabbi Leah Herz coined - there is comfort in coming together. Simply being present with each other. Hearing healing music. Speaking words of beauty that help us remember, Continue Reading
Hold Both Truth & Joy
Rosh Hashanah 2019 This is the sermon I delivered on Rosh Hashanah at the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County. People asked to read it - so here it is: Rabbi Alan Lew, of blessed memory, writes that the High Holy Days season promises nothing less than total personal transformation - IF we do the work, and pay attention. Each of us should leave Continue Reading
Love Yourself On The Way To Wholeness
High Holy Day Soul Work, Part 5 As Rosh Hashanah comes closer, our prayers become more urgent, because ready or not, the holy days are upon us. We reflect more deeply on our misdeeds of the past year, and where we have fallen short of being our best selves. Part of the powerful ritual we go through each High Holy Day season is the cleansing of our Continue Reading
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 return (teshuvah) to Continue Reading
