“Judaism is a communal tradition.” But what does that mean? Living in America which has an individualist tradition it can be difficult to fully understand what “communal” means. You can be WHATEVER you want in the privacy of your own home, but to join with a community requires compromise. I urge couples and families to find a…
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Sunday, May 5 is Yom HaShoah, Remembrance Day for the Holocaust. In this time of spiking anti-Semitism it is especially painful to concentrate on the desire to destroy all Jews. Perhaps you can only light a candle at home, perhaps you are afraid to be in a group of Jews – that is human and…
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Time to plan where you’ll have Seder! At a community Seder, someone else’s home, or your home? Rarely are community Seders on the FIRST night of Passover. But if you don’t have time or an invitation it’s a lovely, easy way to share the event. Here’s a list of Bay Area Community Seders compiled by…
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(Image: Rabbi Jonathan Prosnit of Beth Am teaching kids) You’ve no doubt heard the saying, ‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’. This phrase dates back to the 4th century of the Common Era, but has remained in use because it continues to be relevant. When do you do things “your way” and when…
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(Image: Camp Tawonga) Here we are on the brink of March! In a flash it will be full-blown spring. Gregorian Calendar vs. Jewish Calendar Tomorrow is Leap Day. We only get one every four years. I feel like there should be something special done on February 29. Interestingly this is also the year we get two…
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A couple often breathes a sigh of relieve when they decide what their target is – THIS is the religion we want for our child. But I want that sigh to be both for the joy of having a shared goal and for accepting that you can’t actually determine your child’s future religion/culture/identity. Every child…
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