Category: Uncategorized
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If a Tree Talks in the Forest, Does it Make a Sound? (On Tu Bishvat)
Today is Tu Bishvat, the new year of the trees. Originally an ancient holiday used to determine the age of trees and the fitness of fruit for Temple offerings, the day in contemporary times has become an opportunity to reflect on Jewish views of nature. Adopting a mystical tradition, we hold a Seder (as on…
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You Gotta Be In It to Win It
Well, I didn’t win Powerball. Would I still have continued to blog if I won? Probably. But anyway, here is a post I wrote on the Rabbis Without Borders blog yesterday: You Gotta Be In It to Win It
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If I Forget Thee, O Ken Griffey, Jr….
Like many immigrants, I retain aspects of my life in the old world while at the same time adapting to those in the new. That is the same for me having immigrated to the new world of the Pacific Northwest from the old world of New York. That has taken adjustment over the years, and…
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A Prayer for Healing after a Hate Crime
After the hate crime attack against my synagogue last week, we not only need to repair the damage and address security measures, but we need to heal spiritually as well. I penned this prayer that I shared last Shabbat and at our community meeting the following week: Eloheinu v’elohei avoteinu v’eemoteinu Our God and God…
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Fear. Anger. Hate. Suffering.
To be honest, I was going to take a break this week. I wasn’t going to send out a weekly message this week—it is winter break from school, and with the kids home I need to alter my schedule. Plus it was Erez’s birthday yesterday, so I took time off so we can have a…
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A Swastika at TBH
This morning I discovered a swastika painted on a statue outside the Temple Beth Hatfiloh building. This is the letter I sent out to my congregation community. Friends, This morning I arrived at TBH to find a swastika painted on the statue that graces the entrance to our offices. Earlier this morning I read an…
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Joseph, the Brother Sold Into Slavery, is…[SPOILER ALERT]
Here I am, reflecting on Torah, Star Wars and spoilers on the Rabbis Without Borders blog… Joseph, the Brother Sold into Slavery, is…[SPOILER ALERT]
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A Very Pagan Hanukkah
Today is the fifth day of Hanukkah if you are reading this after sunset (which you probably are, since I didn’t post it until after sunset.) This is a special day of this eight day holiday because it is the first day in which we have more light than darkness. When we light the…
Rabbi 360 