High Holidays

Who Shouldn’t Fast (and who should)

I love this directive from Rabbi Milder about Who Shouldn’t Fast.  Stop worrying and be healthy! Who Shouldn’t Fast (and Who Should) Fasting is a central feature of Yom Kippur observance. But there are some people who should not fast: Pregnant women Anyone with diabetes Anyone taking medications that require food or liquids Anyone who…

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G’mar Chatima Tova

Dear Friends, This evening is Kol Nidre, the beginning of the 24 hours of Yom Kippur. If memory serves, it is the MOST attended Jewish service by American Jews. If you can’t make it to a physical Jewish space there are a number of online options. Just do a Google search and choose one. Quite…

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Looking to the coming year: 5786 — Could you use some wisdom?

As we stand on the threshold of Rosh Hashanah it seems rather perfect that a brilliant Jewish teacher, Robert Reich, will be speaking about on Wednesday, September 24 in Redwood City. He will be in conversation with journalist, Angie Coiro from Kepler’s Books. Here’s the description of his talk: From political economist, cabinet member, beloved professor,…

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9/11 and Be true to Yourself

Twenty four years ago we all stood in shock as we took in the images of planes crashing into American buildings. I texted a NY friend this morning just to say, I know this day is still hard for you. She worked next to one of the towers, ran down many flights of stairs, fled…

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Yom Kippur and Sukkot

Yom Kippur is not everyone’s favorite Jewish holiday. No food, an ancient liturgy, and a mournful feeling. Let’s have a new take on it. Yom Kippur Tonight is Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement and Repentance. The theme of this holiday is Teshuva. Doing teshuva (often translated as repentance, but literally meaning ‘return’) is…

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