For a month before the High Holy Days begin with Rosh Hashanah, we have the month of Elul. It is a time to reflect on who we are, how we are doing morally and spiritually, and what we want to do better in the coming year. Rabbi Avi Schulman of Temple Beth Torah in Fremont…
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(The headline given to this article online at J weekly in my Mixed and Matched column was written by someone who did not convert to Judaism. They meant well, but missed the point of the letter. This is not about changing shuls; it’s about changing one’s identity. Please forgive the confusion.) Dear Dawn: I am single…
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It is pretty common contemplate New Year’s resolutions right about now. I have a thought for you. It’s about being HAPPY. A friend of mine likes to research all the articles that discuss how to be happy. He says that they all boil down to three core things – and then each one may add…
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Each week synagogues read the weekly Torah portion and rabbis seek modern meaning in ancient words. This week Rabbi Chester, interim rabbi at Temple Isaiah this year, used the portion to look at our modern political situation. It’s worth reading. Parshat Toldot: Genesis 25:19 – 28:9 I am one who believes that some things…
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Last week I asked folks on my email list, how are you doing after the Pittsburgh shooting. This reply did not surprise me, “I’m crying a lot.” For some people this tragedy stood alone and stark. For others it added to other troubles in their lives. I asked the people on my list of Seekers and Jews…
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I have a friend who is an Orthodox Jew and her favorite non-Jewish holiday is Halloween. She loves the colors, the decorations, the candy, the spiders, etc. She could choose to be Reform and go with the whole, “It is just an American holiday. No big deal. It’s just letting kids have fun and eat…
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