Once upon a time in Kansas City, Missouri, the many members of a venerated Reform temple formed a large, happy community. It then happened that part of the congregation split away from “the mother ship” and formed a separate, smaller, but equally happy community in a suburb of the city called Overland Park. Following the Continue Reading »
by Michalee Merritt I am sitting and looking at all the hanukkiot (menorahs) at the end of my dining room table, right by the window. I think about how they grew from one menorah to five. My husband and I had one. When my daughter Hannah was born she was given a Winnie the Pooh Continue Reading »
by Nina Fondiller Woldin We light the first Chanukah candle on Sunday evening, December 18, so last week I found myself thinking about Chanukah – which translates as dedication – the rededication of the Temple after reclaiming it from our enemies. I was lucky to lead two Chai Mitzvah groups where we spoke about dedication Continue Reading »
by Jill Maidhof Would you go to a bank in which the employees will talk to you about your tennis game, your favorite recipe, the car you drive and the age of your children — anything, that is, except money, because that’s too personal, or too forward, or outside the bounds of polite conversation?? Contemporary Continue Reading »
By Reb Deb I have been thinking recently about how important “community” is in my life and how being part of different communities impacts my sense of well-being. During this season of gratitude, I want to express how grateful I am and how fortunate I feel to be part of the Chai Mitzvah community, both Continue Reading »
by Audrey Lichter From our inception in 2009, Chai Mitzvah has always had as one of our core missions that of community engagement, both on an individual and communal level. This core value has distinguished our work from many excellent Jewish educational programs. So today, at our weekly staff visioning meeting, we were discussing how Continue Reading »
By Michalee Merritt Living in New England it seems that the weather goes straight from hot and humid summer to cold dark fall. These past first weeks of November have been surprisingly warm. I have been taking long walks listening to the crunch of the leaves beneath my feet. As I’ve walked, I’ve thought about Continue Reading »
By Nina Fondiller Woldin I don’t need to remind you that tomorrow is election day! Media – social and otherwise – is filled with people telling me how they feel, and trying to convince me to agree with them. Most people agree that everyone these days disagrees, strongly. Do you have friends or family who Continue Reading »
by Jill Maidhof When is the last time you had a deeply self-reflective thought such as “Where am I and what direction is my life taking?” or “Am I a trustworthy person?” and “What do I really, truly believe when bad things happen people?” When did you last confront your own vulnerability, question your ethical compass Continue Reading »
by Reb Deb It has been a fulfilling and very busy month of Tishri with all of the holy days and holidays. During Tishri (and leading up to it with the introspective month of Elul) we listen to the daily blast of the shofar, waking us up to the process of reviewing the past year Continue Reading »
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