The land of Israel has been central to Jewish history, both ancient and modern. Even during the years of galut (exile) the Jewish heart was “in the east,” in the words of medieval poet Yehudah HaLevy. This class will examine the history of ancient Israel, the beginnings of rabbinic Judaism, and the modern return to…
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Writing Your Ethical Will (clarifying your common goals)
An ethical will is not a legal document and does not distribute material goods. It is a means by which you can share your values, blessings, hopes and dreams for the future of your loved ones. Ethical wills are not new. References to this tradition are found in Torah (Genesis 18:19) and in other cultures….
Read More »I just can’t give up Christmas
Christmas is magical. The mystic that has been built around it in America is demonstrated in every store and television special. What we expect to feel – and what many do feel – about the entire Christmas season is a sense of elation. If you have loved Christmas all your life then there are…
Read More »A basic class: A Taste of Judaism
The Union for Reform Judaism (the umbrella group for Reform synagogues) provides a wonderful brief curriculum titled A Taste of Judaism. This 3 session class gives you a good basic understanding of the pillars of Judaism. It is free. This January Temple Israel in Alameda has received funding to offer the class. Call the synagogue…
Read More »The Question of Santa
A mom wrote me with this question: Last year we took our preschool age daughter to celebrate Christmas with the Christian relatives. Everything went smoothly because she was so young and didn’t ask any questions. This year she knows that we are helping to celebrate her cousins’ holiday not ours, but she is asking…
Read More »Christmas for your Child
Let’s talk about Christmas for the children in an interfaith family. Let me remind you of two truths: 1. Your child is not exactly like anyone else, so you can’t duplicate another parent’s choices. 2. Your child is not so unique that you can’t learn from other parents. In today’s world there is a bonus,…
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