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Torah Table Topics: Tzav
Things to think about over your Shabbat table this week: This week we go deeper into Leviticus, which means we go deeper into the system of sacrifices. And while the sacrificial system is foreign to us in its implementation, it still touches a deep spiritual nerve. The portion opens in Leviticus 6 with a description…
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Trump and Haman and Ahasuerus..and Mordechai
Today was Purim, the annual celebration of the events of the biblical book of Esther. The story goes like this: the Persian King Ahasuerus dismisses his queen Vashti for not appearing at his summons. He invites all the women of the kingdom to appear to see who would become the new queen, and a Jewish…
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#FeelthePurim
Disclaimer: this is all in good fun, and does not constitute a political endorsement by me, Temple Beth Hatfiloh, its board, staff or membership. Since we are both New York-born Jews it was easier to dress up like Bernie Sanders than any other candidate. Happy Purim!
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To Give is To Receive
The blintzes are back! This year, after a year’s hiatus Blintzapalooza returns. Blintzapalooza is one of Temple Beth Hatfiloh hallmark events, the Sunday in March when we open up our doors and welcome in the community to eat blintzes and bagels, buy used books, participate in a Jewish cooking contest and support local charitable organizations.…
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Where Are You @?
Yesterday was my scheduled monthly contribution to the Rabbis Without Borders blog on My Jewish Learning. Here is my post: Where Are You @?
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Could This One Text Message Have Saved the Lives of 3000 People?
The story of the Golden Calf, which we read in last week’s Torah portion, is a great lesson in punctuality. In the story, the Israelites have left Egypt and have made their way to Mount Sinai. There they are to get the Torah from God which will form the basis for their new community and…
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Can You Teach an Old Calf New Tricks?
This week’s Torah portion Ki Tissa tells the famous story of the Golden Calf. The Israelites, having escaped Egyptian slavery, are encamped around Mount Sinai. Moses is up on the summit receiving the Torah from God. When he is late in coming down the mountain, the Israelites begin to worry and ask Aaron, Moses’s brother…
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Creating Holy Space by Turning to Each Other
A few weeks ago I attended the 40-Hour Professional Mediation Training sponsored by the Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County. The training was an intensive practicum in mediation, and we learned the formal technique of a mediation, which follows a proscribed formula and agenda in order to hopefully lead to a constructive resolution of a…
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My Podcast Debut: Olympia Pop Rocks
Recently I had a great time visiting with Jemmy Joe and Guire McGuire on their local podcast Olympia Pop Rocks. Its a great podcast in which they interview local figures in arts, culture, social justice, etc., and was honored that they invited me to be on their show. The conversation was free-wheeling, and we talked…
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