"Maybe our paths will cross when this universe folds in and makes another. Maybe, at the point when all that is and all that's ever been, collapses into everything else and is remade, our paths will cross, however briefly, and our terminus become a junction. It may be a long shot. I will take it and hope and trust that our paths cross again." -Epilogue, by Oliver Tearle I recently came across this poem and, although it is few in words, it speaks volumes about journeys, relationships, and connections. Nine years ago, Moshe and I arrived in Atlanta, freshly married, and excited for the adventure ahead. What an adventure it has been. The most profound moments have been sharing Jewish connection with you, through music, through text, study, song, b'nai mitzvah, baby namings, funerals, weddings. Living the Jewish cycle of life and the Jewish calendar through you and with you has been a deep and humbling privilege. You have placed yourselves into my hands and my care. This; those moments we … [Read more...]

Mickey Rosner interviews congregant and Koleinu member Caitlin Silvi in honor of J.D.A.I.M With an introduction by Cantor Adesnik "With my condition I will always have flares. The storm system that came in really messed with my pain so I did not sleep last night. We call that a "burning day". I always remind myself you can't be a Phoenix without having burning days. You need ashes to rise from. So today will be the day I get stuff done that I wasn't able to do because of the flare. I am constantly reminded of this cycle of rebirth. When I converted, I took the name Phoenix as my Hebrew name. So, it wasn't a day it was a mindset that changed everything." Caitlin Silvi, TE Congregant and Koleinu member. February is Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month. It is a unified effort among Jewish organizations to band together for programing, fundraising, outreach and lobbying to raise awareness for those with invisible and visible disabilities. Its mission is to foster acceptance … [Read more...]

An atmosphere of beauty, drama, meaning, and music. Voices coming together in song and prayer, lifting our souls to the heavens. Texture and instruments supporting our communal prayer in welcome of Shabbat. This is what a traditional Kabbalat Shabbat entails. We move through six psalms, one for each day of the week leading up to Shabbat, each one bringing us higher and spiritually closer to welcoming the Shabbat Bride. L'cha Dodi, the apex of the Kabbalat Shabbat service is a crowning glory of poetry, Torah, story, and song. Each verse weaves our heritage and peoplehood together that we might truly unite with Shechina- the divine, as her presence settles over us with each verse. Tradition weaves different musical settings of L'cha Dodi into one through composed body of song. With Shabbat in our midst, we turn to the psalms for Shabbat, psalms of righteousness and goodness, that we may be sustained with extra blessings for the next 25 hours. Sound intriguing? You are in for a special … [Read more...]

Kabbalistic Judaism experiences connection to God through a hierarchy of ten spheres of creation called sefirot. Each sphere embodies a different quality of the divine that we strive to emulate in our lives. Through our active embodiment of each quality, we connect to God and each other, bringing a spark of God into the world.  Awareness of something that is greater than ourselves is the first step towards embodying the qualities one encounters as they move down the spherical ladder. It is placed at the center of Binah understanding, and Chochmah- wisdom. It is only with awareness, that we can have a sense of understanding and wisdom to take action in the world. Awareness is the first step.  This Friday, we elevate JDAIM: Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month. Becoming aware that folks who live with different abilities or needs still exist on the margins of society is the first step to taking action towards more fulfilling inclusion and recognition.  Friday we step … [Read more...]

Each week I speak with my nervous B'nai Mitzvah students about our Torah, about why we refer to it as our Tree of Life. Some of their responses include: "....The Torah is our foundation, it represents our family tree-our history, it is a part of Creation- it represents God's creation and nature, it gives us life, it gives us roots." " Pretty awesome kids, right?   Tu'Bishvat, one of our four Jewish New Years and the 'birthday of the' trees is next week. The Kabbalists regarded this time as sacred; one of spiritual transformation and renewal. Modern, cosmopolitan Jews that we are, dedicate this time toward elevating our environmental concerns. We review our recycling and renewal habits, consider our plant-based diets, ready the ground for gardening, and yes… plant trees!  We continue our month-long celebration next week with TE-Talks, as  Rabbi Prinz guides us through the world of chocolate. Where would we be without the Cacao Tree? On Shabbat, join us for an … [Read more...]