Today and this weekend, Americans of all stripes will gather around a table for a seder of sorts. While there is not a set hagadah, Thanksgiving is the time that we recount our blessings and our journeys as a collective. A little over a month after the High Holy Days we measure the progress we have made in our commitments for the new year. Thanksgiving is a time to look into the eyes of friends and family and acknowledge that despite the challenges we face, we have much for which to be thankful. Modim anachu lach This past Thursday, a week before Thanksgiving, Rachael and I were gifted the opportunity to be a part of history, the ordination of the 100th Reform rabbis in Israel. Thanks to the generosity of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and donors from Hebrew Union College, we stood in awe of the time and place. With the medieval walls of Jerusalem as our backdrop, we prayed Hatikvah, and watched as the newest rabbis of Israel were ordained. In a country which struggles to find … [Read more...]
Empty of Ego, Filled With God
In the Hasidic text, Birkat Avraham[i], Rabbi Shmuel B. Nachman speaks about the moment of intense despair that some people, at some point feel… a despair that despite your efforts, you have nothing to show for it…not materially, not spiritually, not socially. Rabbi Shmuel claims that this moment can be, not the nadir of spiritual connection to God, but actually a ‘summit cornerstone’ – for it is in the utter despair that we are as closely empty of ego that we will ever get. If we are open to God in those moments, there is more of us for God to fill. Think of a vessel, the more empty it is, the more space there is for something else… which, can be, if we realize that even in our despair we are in a Holy Place, even if we did not know it… truly Kaddosh…sacred. The Jacob narrative in Torah, these next two weeks of parshiot, relay the story of a man (a teen really) who has made tremendous mistakes, horrific errors in judgement, and committed acts of betrayal against his father and … [Read more...]
Scribble Scrabble or Masterpiece
“Ms. Sheila, look at our Thanksgiving decorations!” These were the excited exclamations of the children in our afterschool program when I stopped in to say hi last week. Scattered throughout the room were what appeared to be scraps of paper of varying shapes and sizes. Some of these decorations were covered in clearly recognizable drawings, others colorfully designed, and still others with nary a scribble. The creator of each was proud, and, when asked to tell me about their creation, would say, in one form or another, that they were making Thanksgiving beautiful (one friend was working on Sukkot). In all of these decorations, there wasn’t a single turkey, cornucopia, pumpkin, or even a thought to the use of a fall color palate. As a matter of fact, to my blind eye, one of their decorations looked exactly like a uterus. I had to stifle my adult laughter. So what made them Thanksgiving decorations? The artists made them Thanksgiving decorations! These children have spent the past … [Read more...]
Good Enough IS Super Mom
A few weeks ago, I overheard a conversation between a mom and a teacher. The teacher had babysat for the mom and was sharing how lovely her home was, how organized and clean it was, with two very young children in the house. The mom thanked her and lamented that she felt like she didn’t do enough. She felt she should do more. More cooking, more cleaning, more special projects, just more. As I listened, I realized how often I hear this same sentiment, and how often I have felt it myself, especially in those years when my children were young. It is a horrible feeling. And looking around, how is it that by all appearances, everyone else is doing so much? The perfect house, beautiful meals, clean clothes – that match, hair that isn’t in a ponytail, happy kids all the time! What? These Super Moms must have superpowers. Right? No, they don’t, because they don’t actually exist. We all have days where things fall into place. The house is clean, dinner is made, the hair is done and we … [Read more...]
Celebrating Veteran’s Day Through Shabbat Services
This Friday night we will celebrate Veteran’s Day through Shabbat services. Jews have long served honorably in our armed services. We have stood tall for the best of America’s ideals and, too often, we have paid the ultimate price. In this we are no different than other groups that make up America, but this fact itself is something to lionize: that we Jews, through our brave women and men who served and continue to serve, do our part with open eyes and valor. The same would be true for those who have served, or are active, in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Our Torah is full of exemplars who were forced to fight for their land, and in defense of their loved ones; including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Deborah, and King David (the list is long, these are just a few). Almost without exception, all of our spiritual heroes were reluctant to take their people into battle. We Jews have a long history of being uncomfortable with violence, and this is a good thing. But … [Read more...]
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