It occurred to me that this moment might be like returning home after a long journey. Everything appears incredibly familiar and, at the same time, somehow different. As I imagined, so it is! It is so very good to be home. Seeing those of you with whom I shared nineteen years of smiles and Continue Reading »
When my dad sits in services, he does a lot of what I call synagogue math. “If we’re on page 45 now, and the Aleinu is on page 116,” and we’re averaging about 5 minutes per page…then how much longer do I have to sit here…?” (If you’re wondering, he’ll be watching Shir Tikva services Continue Reading »
All vows– resolves and commitments, vows of abstinence and terms of obligation, sworn promises and oaths of dedication– that we promise and swear to G-d, and take upon ourselves from this Day of Atonement until next Day of Atonement, may it find us well: we regret them and for all of them we repent. Let Continue Reading »
A story is told of a water carrier, who had two pots on a very long pole that she balanced on her shoulders. Each day the woman left her home and walked down a path to the stream where she would fill the pots with water, put them back on her pole, balance the pole Continue Reading »
If I was a bird, instead of migrating South in the winter, I’d probably migrate further North. I thrive in cold weather and I melt in the heat. I love the magic of snowy days and the sound of rain pitter-pattering against a roof or a window. My ideal state is being snuggled up in Continue Reading »
A story is told of a town where all of the clocks stopped working (1). The people did what they could to try and repair their time pieces, but despite their best efforts they could not get them going again. No one in town understood the inner workings of the springs, dials, pendulums, and gears – Continue Reading »
Good Morning, This is my first High Holy Days speech as your Temple President, so I have decided to start with all the good news so you will be so excited you won’t notice my knees shaking. It is my honor to welcome you here, back to our sanctuary (our gathering as a community Continue Reading »
Introduction by Rabbi Danny Burkeman I remember trying out for my synagogue youth choir when I was a child. I really enjoyed singing and it also meant that I would get to miss a bit of the regular class. They had a policy that everyone was accepted into the choir and so they let me Continue Reading »
By Harvey Michaels Originally posted as part of a blog series for the Jewish Climate Action Network, MA during the month of Elul There is a tradition that in the month preceding the Jewish New Year in September, we begin our contemplation about our failures, and returning to our true selves – our Teshuvah. We Continue Reading »