I found this email from Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Netivot Shalom in Berkeley to be powerful and well said. I want to share it with you. Much has been made of the overlap of Channukah and Thanksgiving this year, a convergence that will not occur again for over 79,000 years. On the one hand, the…
Read More »A meaningful life
“The Holidays” — Happy or just Greedy?
(Photo credit: Maggie Semple Blog) Here it comes, the holidays! The time that songs tell us is “the happiest time of the year.” Which raises the question, what makes us happy? American capitalist culture has a perpetual campaign to answer that question with THINGS! Things will make you happy! Cars, electronics, toys, whatever they are…
Read More »Interfaith Couples Discussion Group
Discussion Series for Interfaith/Intercultural Couples Interfaith couples get it – this is going to take some discussion, some compromise. But what exactly is ‘fair’? Can each of us get what we want and that will be OK for our kids? Then there’s our parents, grandparents, and siblings – how do we get them on board…
Read More »Finding Your Way into Judaism
I was touched by a recent column my friend, Mark, wrote for his synagogue’s bulletin. He journey is worth sharing with you. Jewish Live Evolves, “One Step at a Time” By Mark Fickes, president of Temple Beth Abraham in Oakland If I were able to travel back in time to just 15 years ago, I…
Read More »DIY Judaism: Let’s Practice Havdalah!
Havdalah is a wonderful ritual that ends the Sabbath on Saturday evening. It’s a time that gathers loved ones together with a little wine, a candle, and some spices to look forward to a new week. It’s a nice way to spend family time, or to connect with friends. It also affords each of us…
Read More »Got Christmas Envy? Try a little Sukkot!
A friend of mine who is in an interfaith family recently told me, “I’m jealous of Christmas. My kids absolutely know they are Jewish but they LOVE Christmas and no Jewish holiday can touch it.” It is true that there is nothing we can do about the massive marketing blitz that this country launches…
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