I took a field trip to The High Museum of Art on Tuesday morning to experience the Yoyai Kusama “Infinity Mirror Rooms” exhibit. Written on the wall was the following instruction: look for the recurring motif of peering eyes, awakened to the wonders of time and space: reminders that we are not alone in the universe but, instead, are surrounded by memories, souls, and spirits.” The experience of walking through these seven rooms reminded me of a chassidic lesson taught by Rabbi Simcha Bunam who instructed his students to write out two scrolls and put one in each pocket. On the first, the rabbi instructed them to write, “I am but dust and ashes,” and on the second he instructed his students to write, “The world was created for me.” Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms reflect Rabbi Simcha Bunam’s instruction. On the one hand (or in one pocket), we hold that we are just a speck in the universe. When I walked into Kusama’s rooms I was surrounded and embraced by specks of light or an endless … [Read more...]
Send your “sins” down the river
If you have not checked your calendar… the Rosh Hashanah is fast approaching! Dig out the brisket recipe, practice your round challah braiding skills, make the honey cake with the kids, it is time to welcome a brand new year! My favorite ritual of Rosh Hashanah is Tashlich. I take my day old bread down to the river and tear it into little pieces. Those pieces represent all of the things I would like to let go of from this past year. I cast those pieces into the water and watch as they float away. In shul, we come together as a community and admit our wrongdoings as individuals and as a people; we ask our community, our friends, families and God to forgive us. Our fixed prayers do not necessarily guide us to ask for forgiveness from ourselves. Tashlich is the final step of the prayers we have been sending and singing in synagogue. This ritual gives us a physical outlet to let go of the things that we have done wrong to ourselves and to others. When we take a breath and stretch … [Read more...]
Ok, I’ll say it: I love summer!
I love the weather, being out in nature, and the fact that it gets dark so late. I treasure being able to step back a bit from the hard pace of the year, rediscover passions, and strengthen friendships. I appreciate the chance to return to a true sense of self. But what I cherish most is the chance to reconnect to my family. Most years, when our kids get out of school, we take a family trip. Some years this means loading up the car and experiencing parts of America, other years we manage to journey abroad. In this time we bond in a way that is easily identifiable as profound, and perhaps even ‘holy’. Not that its ever easy (or quiet) to suddenly march to the same tune, all at the same time, on the same schedule. Personal space becomes a joke. It can get…intense. But gradually, and gladly, we begin to groove. And this unified rhythm sets the pace for us in a way that seems to sustain us for the rest of the year. Afterwards, we borrow what we have gleaned on … [Read more...]
Friday With Family
I can recall many beautiful moments from the prayer experiences of my early years. As a child, my family and I would head to synagogue, about once a month, and join with the congregation in prayer and song. These sacred memories are still dear to my heart today. I recall the rabbi inviting my friends and me to open the ark for Aleinu L’Shabeiach: we would race forward to try to be the first one to grab a door and be helpful! I recall my parents sitting on my left and right, pointing to the words in the prayer book: as an eager reader, I practiced sounding out words and trying to keep up with the pace of the congregation. I recall the community clapping in unison during everyone’s favorite Mi Chamocha (and the rabbi never getting the rhythm quite right). Finally, I recall feeling a great sense of joy, purpose, and pride: Joy in singing with my family and friends; purpose in knowing that my voice added to the sound of the community; pride in my Jewish identity and feeling … [Read more...]
Religious School Chanukah Dinner
Join us for the 4th night of Chanukah by lighting candles, eating Chanukah dinner, and celebrating community. RSVP for dinner below. … [Read more...]
