Tonight we light the 6th candle of Hanukkah. And it is also Shabbat, the day of rest. We light the menorah first, and then our Shabbat candles. The question for tonight is: Can you name 6 things that help you rest or stop or take a needed breath? As my teacher Rabbi Sheila Peltz Weinberg teaches about the Sabbath - "Pausing is not an option. Pausing is Continue Reading
Chanukah Night #6: Gifts
Tonight we light the 6th candle of Chanukah. The question today is: What six gifts have you received that have lit up your life? However you want to define “gift” is fine. Here are mine: A Gift From My Mother-In-Law Pearl z''l. One day, when my mother-in-law Pearl z’’l was visiting us in Seattle, she came with me on an errand. As I parked to go into Continue Reading
#AskTheRabbi COVID-19
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
Music For This Moment – COVID-19 Playlist
Music is one of the things that so heals the soul - a universal language that touches us in places that words alone cannot. I have always loved different kinds of music and so as I sat listening to the evening news, disheartened and feeling a bit of panic - I started thinking about what piece of music would be uplifting. I was looking for music for this Continue Reading
To Those Who Are Brave–We Remember You
This is a time of great extremes - there are people who cower in the corner instead of speaking up, while others shine a great light with their bravery in standing up for justice. When despair grips us, it’s helpful to remember people who spoke (and speak) the truth and took courageous action, regardless of the consequences. These often ordinary people acted Continue Reading
