From Anat Hoffman, the Executive Director of the Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC): Agriculture is one of Israel’s greatest industries. It is innovative and creative. Israeli fields use the least amount of water. Israeli cows have the highest milk production in the world. Israelis have also innovated new fruits and vegetables over the years. Israelis have …
We celebrate the release of Gilead Shalit from more than 5 years of captivity. After observing the High Holy Days with his picture sharing our bimah, we take comfort that our prayers are answered. It is difficult to gauge from the United States what Shalit’s coming home feels like to the citizens of Israeli Progressive …
This year, we built our sukkah in stages: the structure was reconstructed by the boys and my parents, the top was relaid by me late one afternoon, and the decorating happened betwixt and between with the help of the whole family. It was wonderful to welcome friends, relatives and some members of our Or Ami …
On Friday night (October 13th), at the Rudyan Family Campfire Circle Or Ami consecrates (formerly “installs”) Julia Weisz as Or Ami’s second rabbi. Through a Sukkot inspired ceremony, she officially joins the clergy team with Cantor Doug Cotler and me. Come celebrate with us (6:00 pm for a BYO picnic; 7:30 pm for the service). …
Gilad Shalit is to be freed. A deal with Hamas, Israel’s terrorist neighbor, has been struck in which one Israeli soldier (held for 5 years without a Red Cross visit) is to be traded for 1,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails. A bittersweet victory. Celebration mixes with worry. We celebrate that Gilad is to be freed. …
Today our community gathers to bury Dean Hilborne, a young 53-year-old man, who leaves a wife and 2 teenage children. We will struggle to find meaning in his death; we will grapple with how to talk about this loss with our children and our loved ones. Here are a few resources to help: Talking to …
Yom Kippur, unique among the Jewish holy days, lacks its own culinary customs. Aside from the break-the-fast, which though historically was done without fanfare but now might even be catered affairs, Yom Kippur is the only major holy day not tied to food. Jews fast for the 25 hours. At least most Jews do. Should …
Saying “I’m Sorry” is not always easy. It can be uncomfortable or downright embarrassing. Still, we learn from the Talmud that on Yom Kippur, for the ways we have harmed others, the holy day does not atone until we make peace with that other person. Kindergarten students from Congregation Or Ami’s Mishpacha Family Alternative program, led …
Sometimes the most anxiety-provoking moment of the High Holy Days arrives well ahead of when I actually deliver my sermon. The anxiety bursts forth between the time I send a draft of the sermon off to my respected reviewers and the moment when I receive their suggestions/edits/critique. A recent article shed light on the value …
Download a PDF of the sermon, complete with references, text sources and thank you’s. And the call went out from God to Abraham: “Take your son, your only son, the one you love, Isaac, take him on a journey, out into the wilderness. It is time for some male bonding. Where you are going is …
My all time favorite prayer is Shehecheyanu, the Jewish prayer for first time events. We say it whenever something new happens. Given the Jewish penchant for finding blessings in each moment of life, this prayer is also recited the first time something happens in a given year. Like holidays. I have sweet memories of singing …
Another great video for the New Year:
In my early courtship with yoga, I understood the word “yoga” to mean “union”. I was breathing and moving my mind, body, and spirit into union. How delightful to discover the far reaches of possibility within myself. There were poses which enabled me to feel strong, to feel flexible, to balance. Becoming a yoga instructor …
Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism, reflects upon the massive protests in Israel by people calling for social justice. Focused on housing and more, these citizens of Israel are met not with bullets and firepower (like in many of the surrounding nations), but by conversation and hope. (See also the statement …
From my Grandpa Eddie, I learned the importance of enjoying life with your family. Instead of hoarding his money and leaving us a bigger inheritance, he and Grandma Esther decided that they would rather see their grandkids having fun and bonding. They sent us all to Jewish summer camps and spent regular time with us. …