Category: Uncategorized
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Erev Rosh Hashanah 5776: “The 8 Things I Have Learned about Life and Teshuvah from the Seattle Seahawks”
There are many things that come with growing older. As I completed my 42nd year this past July, I continue to note the changes that occur as we get older. Our bodies don’t bounce back like they used to, our hairlines don’t bounce back like they used to. One thing I have noticed, though, is…
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It’s Rosh Hashanah. Don’t Drop the Ball.
The New Year is upon us. Tonight at sundown we will welcome in 5776. As a child celebrating the secular new year, it would become an annual challenge to stay up until midnight to watch the ball drop from Times Square in New York City. I would get anxious and excited waiting for that fateful…
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“What Do You Have to Declare?”
Anyone who has gone through customs coming from an international trip has had to respond to the following question, “What do you have to declare?” Our government levies taxes and tariffs on particular goods, and tries to keep certain goods out of the country, so the question is meant to elicit an honest response on…
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The Elul of Victory and Defeat
My turn again at the Rabbis Without Borders blog on My Jewish Learning. You can watch the video, then read my take on The Elul of Victory and Defeat
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“Welcome Home” to Elul: A View from Camp
I’m spending this week at Jewish summer camp. I have returned this year to URJ Camp Kalsman in Arlington, WA to serve a week as faculty–a week filled with leading services, teaching and engaging with kids during activities. Camp Kalsman is one of the two main summer camps that kids from my congregation attend–Camp Solomon…
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Jon Stewart–and Moses–on Bulls**t
I watched Jon Stewart on The Daily Show for the last time last night. And while the show began with a different host and will continue under a different host, it is hard to imagine it without Stewart behind the desk. Stewart, during his 16 year run on the “fake news” show on Comedy Central, turned…
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Peace Parasha: Tisha B’Av–Kindness, Justice and Righteousness
This past week I had the honor of contributing to the Americans for Peace Now Peace Parasha series. I offered a look at the haftarah for Tisha B’Av, the day of mourning for the destruction of the Temples that was observed this past Sunday. Tisha B’Av–Kindness, Justice and Righteousness
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Is This What Sinat Chinam Looks Like?
It was at the end of my time away, which included a spiritual retreat and vacation time with my extended family, that I opened up my email to get caught up, only to learn that our building has been once again targeted by graffiti. Someone had scrawled “Free Palestine!” on one of the large columns…
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The High Holidays are Two Months Away. Thanks, Pinchas.
It’s summertime, and my senses are alive. Feeling the heat on my skin, seeing the lush growth all around, tasting the fresh fruits and vegetables from farm and garden, hearing birds and other animals and smelling fresh flowers. Yet while I enjoy the summer and the change in routines and the increased time outdoors, I…
Rabbi 360 