The old joke goes that there are two kinds of people, people who like to divide the world into two and everyone else. Jews tend to be in the former category. So, on Purim we can consider what kind of Jew we are on this holiday: a Purim Jew or a Passover Jew. These two holidays share so much already: traditional foods, a story that matches the holiday, and a centuries old way of observing the day. But when it comes down to is, a Purim Jew looks at the community in which they live and says, "I can change this. I can make it better." A Pesach Jew says, "the place where we live is untenable, we must leave our homes and set out for a Promised Land." Both are fair responses to crisis, and both are very Jewish responses. Throughout our history, American Jews have been the Purim Jews: deepening our commitment in this country to make it a better place for us and all who live here. Whereas, much of the European and Middle Eastern Jewish world has left for the modern State of Israel-Passover … [Read more...]

Every month in the Jewish or secular calendar has a feeling to it. This past weekend we entered the joyful Hebrew month of Adar, the month in which we celebrate Purim! מִשֶּׁנִּכְנַס אֲדָר מַרְבִּין בְּשִׂמְחָה MisheNichnas Adar marbin b'simchah, "'As Adar enters, joy is increased,' says Rav Yehudah."* With the month of Adar upon us, now we are called to increase our joy as we build up to Purim. The call to celebrate Purim does not come from  Tanach (though the story resides in the Book of Esther). Rather, the Sages of the Talmud eventually recorded an entire scroll to explain how the holiday should be observed. But they omitted one very important instruction, how we are to increase our joy in the days leading up to and following Purim! Why would the Rabbis leave such a request without the how-to or to-do list? I believe it's because we each find joy in life in different ways. It's pretty hard to tell someone, "Hey, do this, this, and that…find joy!" Instead, it's pretty … [Read more...]

Before we returned from Boston, I heard from my mother-in-law, who was awaiting our return, that the refrigerator was freezing everything in the fridge. We wouldn't be able to buy any groceries until we get it fixed unless we want to defrost the milk and eggs each morning. A few calls and a few days later we had a technician come out to the house and repair it. It seems that the problem was a flap that regulates the flow of cold air into the refrigerator that was stuck open, constantly flooding our fridge with cold air. In fact, the technician said that the only reason we hadn't noticed this sooner was because of how much we were opening and closing the fridge throughout our day. So, the flap was fixed and the refrigerator lives to chill another day. Afterward, I couldn't help but see a connection between the fridge and Zohara's heart surgery. Over the past few months, I've taken a deep dive into the world of medicine and science as my way to be more engaged with Zohara's care. … [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...]

As many of you know, Max and I made the journey to Boston in January so that Zohara could be seen by a specialized surgeon to repair her very rare congenital heart defect. Thank God, the surgery was a success. There are many lessons from this trip that I will carry with me throughout my life. I studied this week's Torah portion, Yitro, through my new perspective. I took a deep exhale, and I returned to the text that reminds us all that it's okay to not only take help when it is offered, but to ask for it as well. As the portion tells us, Moses was busy trying to manage the Israelites, and Jethro could tell Moses was overwhelmed-so much so that he basically told Moses that he would burn-out if he continued to lead in this way - doing everything on his own. Moses couldn't be everything to everybody. Jethro reminded Moses, "the task is too heavy, you cannot do it alone." (Ex. 18:18) I know I am not the only person going through something tough right now. We all have, are currently, or … [Read more...]