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Listening to Jeremiah in Charleston
Yesterday was quite a day. Yesterday was an amazing spiritual confluence: in the Jewish calendar it was Rosh Hodesh Tammuz, the first day of the month of Tammuz. For Muslims, the holy month of Ramadan began. And Pope Francis issued a major encyclical on the environment, which hopefully promises to change the way we address…
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The Mission Does Not Take Care of Itself
This is the season of graduation. Last week I was honored to attend the graduation ceremony of my rabbinical school, the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, as a board member of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association. Ozi had his graduation exercises from middle school earlier today before all the eighth graders went off to Wild Waves. And this…
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Is Capitalism Hurting Synagogue Life?
As I’ve shared with you, in addition to my regular blog, I blog once a month at the Rabbis Without Borders blog on the My Jewish Learning website. (My slot is usually the first Wednesday of the month). It is an honor to join a chorus of my colleagues in bringing diverse voices, opinions and…
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In the Wake of the Police Shooting in Olympia
I got behind in my usual posting, etc. because of the events in our Olympia community over the past 48 hours: the police shooting of two African American men in the early morning hours. Without getting into the facts of the shooting, it is enough to say that the fact of it happening raised a…
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Shavuot: Learn, Teach, Read Ruth, Plant, Eat Fruit, Eat Dairy, Commit
Poor Shavuot. In our Jewish calendar, we have minor holidays that get the major holiday treatment. Hanukkah, for example. It is not a biblical holiday, it does not strike major theological notes, yet since it falls in the winter around Christmastime, it tends to get much attention and observance. Then we have major holidays that…
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When a Win is Not a Win
I’m back from my trip to Israel with Interfaith Partners for Peace. It was an incredible journey-I saw and learned a lot and I am looking forward to sharing it with you. Just not yet. Not because I’m not interested, but jet lag (still) and getting caught up from being away for two weeks is…
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I Am The 0.0009%
Oftentimes in describing the details of life we talk about the percentages. I realized recently that I am one of the 0.0009 percent. No, this isn’t a reference to income inequality (wouldn’t that be nice). This is a reference to two years ago, when I was struck down by bacterial meningitis-an inflammation of the layers…
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The Perils of Individualism
This week’s portion, Shimini, carries us deeper into the book of Leviticus. The first half of the portion is the initiation of the sacrificial cult: the Torah describes in dramatic fashion the first sacrifices Aaron and his sons carry out in their role as priests. They slaughter various animals corresponding to the different types of…
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Rabbi 360 