Trauma and Recovery

The eerie juxtaposition of Torah and our times. Dina, daughter of Yaakov, is taken by force and confined, to be freed only after blood is shed.

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Hostages

My recent posts...It seems natural that the release of hostages from Gaza would engender jubilation in Israel. Yet, it doesn’t seem like the right response. Of course, there is relief … for some. Too many are still in captivity. Many of those returned from the tunnels...

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Anger

My recent posts...Dear Friends, (Nov 2 / 2:24 a.m.) Those of us who support Israel are wasting our breath by declaring — however correctly — that there never was a modern historical state called “Palestine” until Britain, France and Italy carved up the Middle East...

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Sand and Stars

My recent posts...Sand and Stars Yesterday, 18 Cheshvan, was the yahrzeit of the massacre at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh. It has been five years; the Gregorian calendar anniversary is October 27. Until October 7, this attack was at the top of our list of...

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Preparing for Shabbat

My recent posts...Preparing for Shabbat It took several tries this morning before we connected with Hannah in Tzfat. She’s been busy, she said, and has a meeting in a few minutes. From our first-born’s first Shabbat at home, we have been blessing our children every...

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My High Holiday Sermons – 5784

My recent posts...The links below are to my High Holiday sermons. Telescope - Rosh Hashanah 5784 (1) The Promise in this Day - Rosh Hashanah 5784 (2) Yom Kippur - Kol Nidrei Is Anything Ok? - Yom Kippur - Yizkor

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Sukka: A Personal History

My parents’ sukka was nearly indestructible: Plywood panels, 4’x8’, on 2×4 frames, making an eight-by-twelve-foot sukka. The panels, constructed by my father, bolted together. The middle panel of the long wall had a small window, complete with a rod and curtain.

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