Don't pass-over the struggle of the Israelites in the Passover story.  Don't pass-over the call to see ourselves as if we were slaves in Egypt.  Don't pass-over the moments begging for questions and discussion.  Don't pass-over the hungry in our midst. They're the ones hoping that their favorite soup will be on the shelf this week when they stop by the pantry.  Don't pass-over the widow seeking connection. She's the one sitting off to the side. Her face is a little melancholy. She doesn't light up when the table sings Dayeinu this year.  Don't pass-over the orphan longing for more time with loved ones. He's a father of his own now, but he has now celebrated a decade without his parents at the seder table.  Above all else, don't pass-over seeing the humanity in our neighbor, even when our instinct is to fear them.  Do pass-over the urge to rush the seder just to get to the meal.  Do pass-over the beeps and buzzes of your devices and leave them in another room.   Do pass-over the desire … [Read more...]

Passover is in eleven days.    Eleven days to clean.   Eleven days to pick up matzah, that pesky shank bone, and all your other Passover food needs.   Eleven days to cook.   Eleven days to dust off the family haggadot or to order new ones.   Eleven days to prepare our minds and souls so that we can arrive to the seder and experience the Maggid (the story). We should strive to raise up our obligation to see ourselves as if we are coming out of Egypt.   But this year we hold the harsh reality that we have brothers and sisters, who feel extra close to home in our hearts, who have not yet come out from the proverbial Egypt in which they are captive.   This year, add an additional empty chair to your seder table, for the hostage who won't be joining their family. This year, add an extra setting of maror, for the bitterness we feel about the ongoing war. This year, don't let the seder go by without going deep in conversation.   Don't rush.    It is a privilege to be able to sit and engage in … [Read more...]

Today is day 167 of the war against Hamas. I've heard many people ask the question: How do we celebrate ______ when there are still hostages…when there are children and mothers starving in Gaza.   If you've had these thoughts, know that you're not alone. Jews all over the world are holding these concerns.    However, we are on the edge of beginning one of the biggest celebrations of the year: Purim. During Purim, we are commanded to be celebratory, to feast, and to be merry.   For some, celebrating Purim will mean leaning into the celebration as a form of resistance, saying despite the rising hate and the war abroad, we will not be deterred from celebrating our Judaism. I call this the "Am Yisrael Chai" (the Jewish people live) approach.  For others, the celebratory feasting and merrymaking will not be their approach. Instead, they will lean into the other commandments of Purim: to send gifts to friends and those in need. Through these actions, some folks will find what I call a … [Read more...]

During the month of Adar, we are supposed to increase our joy. The Hebrew year, 5784, is a leap year, which means we have another month of Adar (Adar bet) to find extra joy. While the ongoing hostage crisis and war continue in Gaza, the thought of increasing joy is complicated. How can we be joyful when our brothers and sisters are still in captivity? How can we be joyful while innocent mothers and children are hungry in Gaza? And yet, we, the Jewish people - despite all of our persecution and attacks on our community throughout the centuries - continue to live Jewishly because it is at the core of our resistance. Here at Temple Emanu-El, we hope you will take advantage of the many ways we plan to increase joy in the next month of Adar. We have something for every age and stage to celebrate one of our most famous victories, the holiday of Purim. Sunday, March 10 K12 Mishloach Manot 12:30-2:00pm Kids in grades K, 1, and 2 will prepare special gift bags for friends and those in … [Read more...]

It's good to be back! After time away on maternity leave to bond with our new baby, Ozzie, I'm back in the office full-time and excited to reconnect with everyone - I've missed you!  Many thanks to all those who reached out with words of congratulations, gifts, and food. Temple Emanu-El is a special community, and Max, Zohara, Ozzie, and I have felt all of the love. Thank You.  This Friday night is my first Shabbat evening back. I say Shabbat evening because I took Ozzie to his first Tot Shabbat in late December. We rocked out with SEVENTY other parents, grandparents, and kids on a Saturday morning (okay, he slept through the whole thing, but it was nice to be "just ima (mom)" and walk through those Temple Emanu-El doors.  However, this Friday night, after not being around many adults for the last 12 weeks I would LOVE to reconnect with you at services. Maybe increased service attendance even made it on your list of New Year's Resolutions. Friday night kicks off the first Shabbat of … [Read more...]