(Photo from Kol Emeth, Palo Alto) As the years of bad news grind on and the daily news tears at our souls it is easy to be paralyzed by despair. But Judaism teaches us not to surrender. The word I read most frequently after October 7 was RESILIENT. Get back up and forge on. One…
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A while ago Rabbi Corey Helfand gave me permission to share his useful explanation of how to attend a shiva. I want to share with you. *** Shiva calls can be hard to make, especially if it is your first time. The information below aims to help prepare you to make a shiva call. Learn how to give…
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I just received permission to share Rabbi Chayva Lehrman of Am Tikvah in San Francisco’s message to her congregation. It is about Shavuot, but a question we can ponder throughout life. “Why was the Torah given in the desert?” asks the midrash. One might think that the Torah, the wellspring of Jewish tradition, should have…
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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: Cards made by participants at workshops) Did you know that crafts like knitting, cooking and gardening act on your brain very much like meditation? It transitions you to a state of calm and creative focus. It can be a sanity saver. Can we get crafty about Jewish holidays? There are a lot of people like me…
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(Photo of Israeli hostages in Gaza) I continue to be stunned by the growth of anti-Semitism in America and the swell of hatred towards Israel. Many synagogues are offering healing services, but for the first time in my life I hesitate to mention events and addresses lest they fall into the hands of local terrorists….
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