It’s Our Story
Last week’s Torah reading was mostly the story of Noah and the Flood. One of the more curious elements of the tale is what happens when the earth dries out enough for the animals and their human tenders to exit the vessel.
Bee Juice
My recent posts...After havdala ended last week’s Galeem (“waves,” our Sunday school), the usual joyful mayhem erupted in the lobby: Kids running down halls for a water bottle, a work of art, a lollipop; parents calling after them “Remember your ________!”; brief...
Welcome to”chol”
A couple days of magnificent weather have been a welcome respite from the bounty of precipitation during Sukkot and the closing festival days. This morning, we stored away our sukkah — unscathed by the nor’easter — for next year.
Kol Nidre – All Vows
My recent posts...kol nidrei, all MY vows? Rabbi Jonathan Kremer kol nidrei, all vows. ALL vows? All my vows? How can I possibly remember them all? Those silent frustrations: I swear I could... I said what? Well, I didn't mean it that way! The thick-as-mud silent...
Of Vision and Light
“In God We Trust” we write on our money, encouraging ourselves to elevate our vision from loving the stuff of our lives to living the meaning of our loves.
Adonai, elohey haruchot l’chol bassar / Adonai, Source of the animating spirit in all creatures, breathe Your most generous inspiration into the leaders of our nation. Welcome into the shelter of Your peace those with constrained views of justice along with those who have broad visions of freedom and right.
Holy One of Blessing, preserve the strength and impart victory to those who defend us and our values; give stamina to the volunteers who do what otherwise would not be done; grant us all appreciation for the diversity of our citizenry — our vast range of experience, belief and culture that can expand our horizons and enrich our lives.
These days, Lord, we are hurting … hurting one another; hurting the most vulnerable among us; hurting Your earth; hurting our chances for a brighter future. Help us replace enmity with empathy, jealousy with generosity, castigation with compassion, hate with harmony.
Dear God in heaven beyond and here, by our sides, on earth: Remove the blinders from the eyes of our elected officials, and from ours. Shine Your light upon us as we work together to realize a vision of common wealth, of common sense, of the common purpose of “E Pluribus Unum,” from many, one.
We pledge allegiance to this singular nation united in embracing the many peoples who share this blessed land and its challenged history.
Keyn yehi ratzon, may Your will become ours as we pursue justice, act with mercy, and walk humbly before You, leading one another to a life of peace.
Amen.