Nothing is more energizing in the midst of Torah study than gaining new insight about the text. I love working with Bar/Bat Mitzvah students because they approach the Torah text with new perspectives that so often illuminate a chiddush (new insight). I relish the moments when the student leads me to discover something entirely new …
The teenage girl puts her arm around the fourth grader. They both smile. The younger child feels warmth, love and a sense of “I matter” from her protector, a cool positive Jewish role model. The teen feels a sense of purpose, of meaning and a sense of “I matter” from a child who looks up …
How would you describe the qualities of a hero? Ask the 4th-6th graders who attended Congregation Or Ami’s retreat, or their 8th-12th grade Madrichim, and you will receive a very clear answer. A hero has: Power Wealth Wisdom Honor Yes, that’s what our staff taught our students this weekend. In the midst of our weekend, …
What does it take to be a positive Jewish role model? Talk Jewish: Jewish talk is filled with kindness, caring, and concern for the poor, the widow, and the stranger. It involves more kvelling (praising) than kvetching (complaining). Talking Jewish is thoughtful and hopeful. Show enthusiasm for learning: As Am haSefer (people of the book), …
Recently, Congregation Or Ami sponsored two teens – 10th graders Sophie Barnes and Josh Gellerman – to attend the NFTY NASHIR Songleading Weekend in Seattle, Washington. As Cantor Doug Cotler has made it a priority to nurture new Jewish songleaders, musicians, composers and singers, we were excited to send these musical teens for training. Both …
Most of us would recognize the Ten Commandments, even though few of us could actually list them. Beyond arguing about whether the commandments belong on the walls of schools and in the Federal Courts (they don’t), fewer still have tried to explore deeply the essence of this list. Recently, I read Rabbi Yael Levy‘s Torah …
Herman and his granddaughter Stacey How Harriet and Herman Met Harriet had nothing to do that evening, when her friends prepared to go out to a dance party. So she agreed to tag along. It was toward the end of World War II; the dance hall was filled with servicemen of all types, handsome in …
I’ve known Lil for almost 14 years, a minuscule portion of her quite long life. Still, I have grown quite fond of her as our paths crossed and recrossed through vicissitudes of life: celebrations of B’nai Mitzvah, visits to her during a near death hospital stay, holy day services and the more mundane moments in between. I remember being …
Passing Torah Midor Lador at Ethan’s Bar Mitzvah When passing down Torah midor lador (from generation to generation), especially at a Bar/Bat Mitzvah service, we illuminate the unique contributions Torah brings to the way we look at and live out our lives. I often say, In a world that teaches us its all about being …
Michelle and I blogged together: Amidst accessible pomp and circumstance, a president was again inaugurated peacefully in America. Partisan politics set aside, everyone gathered to celebrate the freedoms fought for by President Abraham Lincoln and dreamed about by Martin Luther King Jr. Our President Barak Obama set a high bar: to extend equality to all, …
By Rabbi Amy Scheinerman (originally published as Planting Seeds of Hope: Let Them Bloom, by Mekor Chaim, JFNA) Lying on his back atop his doghouse, Snoopy gazes at the sky and bemoans, “Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There’s so little hope for advancement.” Curiously, Snoopy doesn’t …
My teacher, Rabbi Jonathan Slater of the Institute of Jewish Spirituality illuminates this week’s parasha by comparing Loving God to Loving a Dog. His first sentence grabbed me so (I’m not a pet person either), and it just got better and better. I reprint Rabbi Slater’s wisdom here for pet lovers who might find meaningful …
Recently, I invited congregants to reflect on what it means to them to recite the Shema. Many spoke about their connections to the Holy One. One involved young person – a Congregation Or Ami member, Madricha (Teaching assistant), and Camp Newman camper – offered some unique, thought-provoking ideas. For her, it seems, Shema connects her …
Adults study Torah commentaries in Mishpacha Family Learning While studying about Sarah’s laughter in response to God’s announcement of her imminent pregnancy, I came across this gem from Rabbi Elizabeth Dunsker. The adults in our Mishpacha Family Alternative Learning program, who explored commentaries from Rashi, Onkelos, and The Torah: A Women’s Commentary, agreed that this was by …
Michelle and I joined Patti Jo Wolfson and Dennis Bernstein, Rabbi Julia and David Weisz, President Helayne and Randy Sharon and at least 15 other Or Ami congregants** at the annual AIPAC Valley Dinner. AIPAC is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a lobbying organization dedicated to the American-Israel relationship. Around 1,000 Israel activists gathered …