by Rabbi Debra Smith Thinking back on this year’s High Holy Days and thinking ahead to my most favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, has provided me with an opportunity to reflect on the role of community in my life. Judaism teaches us the importance of being part of a community, of welcoming newcomers into community, and also Continue Reading »
by Michalee Merritt As I sit looking out the window at the trees with the sunlight streaming through them, the leaves are so vibrant with the colors of gold, red, and even brown. The leaves are falling to the ground ever so slowly with the cool breeze. I sit here and reflect on the recent Continue Reading »
by Audrey Lichter In the book of Job, we meet a righteous and pious man who, unbeknownst to him, is put to a test of faith by a wager between the “Adversary” (some type of celestial being) and God. God, sure that Job will not lose his faith, allows the adversary to afflict him with Continue Reading »
by Nina Fondiller Woldin Today, on the eve of the second anniversary of the brutal October 7 massacre and the eve of Sukkot, peace talks are scheduled to take place in Egypt. This brings to mind the words of the Hashkiveinu prayer: Ufros Aleinu Sukkat Shlomecha ופרש עלינו סכת שלומך, “spread your shelter of peace Continue Reading »
By Rabbi Debra Smith As I pay my visit to the cemetery at this time of year, I chat with my parents and bring them up to speed on what the year has been like. I am inspired to write these words that I share with you. Wishing everyone G’mar Chatimah Tova. May you and Continue Reading »
by Audrey Lichter For the past 24 hours, we have anxiously awaited the FBI’s report that let us know that the deceitful and heinous killer of Charlie Kirk has been apprehended. Thankfully, the news came just a few minutes ago. Over the next weeks, we will learn more about who he was and his motives. Continue Reading »
By Rabbi Debra Smith I am good at making resolutions, God, but I am not very good at keeping them. There are so many things I would like to achieve, so many changes I would like to make. I pray to You, God, for strength and for wisdom. I want to live a meaningful life. Continue Reading »
By Nina Fondiller Woldin Today is Labor Day, marking the official end of summer. For some, it’s time to go back to school, for many, it’s a time to get ready for Rosh Hashanah. It’s a time to look back on where we’ve been and think about where we’d like to go. It’s a time Continue Reading »
The new school year is upon us. Can someone tell me why the summer seems so much shorter when you are an adult? It is a time of new clothes, new shoes, freshly sharpened pencils, and brand new notebooks… Making plans with friends and the new things you are going to learn about. As adults, Continue Reading »
by Audrey Lichter What is it about the human being that craves a leader? I just returned from an African safari, and learned that animals, too, crave leadership and will fight to maintain it. Scott Shay, in his seminal work on the defense of monotheism, warns us against ascribing power and authority to finite things, Continue Reading »
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