Throughout the intense distress caused by this unprecedented global health crisis, quarantine has actually been something of a blessing. It’s given many of us the opportunity to connect with ourselves,…
This week’s Torah Portion, Emor, includes the command to observe God’s sacred occasions (Leviticus 23: 1-2): “The Eternal spoke to Moses saying: Speak to the Israelite people and say to…
Dear Families,During these days, we are thinking about those who have gone above and beyond and how to give thanks. There is a principle in Judaism called “hakarat hatov” —…
Today, I’m trying to assess what this terrible pandemic has done so far, and is continuing to do, to me — just one single individual.I begin with isolation. I’ve always…
One of the things Americans come to notice upon socializing with Israelis is that there’s a cultural gap in the way we plan things. Whereas generally Americans plan trips and…
Torah comes from the same Hebrew word as “instruction.” Each commandment (and verse) in the Torah has its simple directive — to know what to do — along with its…
It’s happening again. I suppose as long as ignorance and prejudice exists, that there will be those who will turn to scapegoating to vent their ignorance and frustrations on refugees,…
Dear Friends, As we all are, I am reading blog upon blog and email upon email and have lost count of the Zoom calls and webinars. But many, especially some…
Dear Friends, During this period, beginning with Holocaust Remembrance Day last week, this week Remembrance Day for the valiant fallen soldiers in the IDF and victims of terror in Israel,…
This coming Sunday, I’ll mark two very special birthdays on the same day. The first: Number 60 for the man who’s been my daughter’s best friend since they were toddlers. …