This is a time of transition. In Torah we are just completing the Book of Bereshit and its story of our individual ancestors. The book of Bereshit has allowed us to explore the lives of our founders. Each of them faced many transitions in their lives, as they moved from place to place. They each […]
Does the Pew Study Predict the Future? The Answer Is in Our Hands…
Our ancestor Joseph was known as an interpreter of dreams. He also sought to preserve his family’s ability to remain true to their traditions and faith as the came to Egypt. By helping pave the way for them to settle in Goshen, he ensured his father, bothers and the next generations would be kept somewhat […]
Family Drama
This Shabbat finds us in the midst of Hanukkah as well as Thanksgiving weekend. Across the country we gather with family and friends for hours around holiday tables and extended visits. We share laughter, successes, and joyful memories. Yet, there is often unvoiced tension, competition, and pain. As I read Parshat Miketz, it brought to […]
Hanukkah and Thanksgiving Have Not Become One Holiday!
For so many years the Jewish community, and many non-Jews, have bemoaned the fact that Thanksgiving has become all but lost in the push for Christmas. Store decorations abound even before Halloween, advertisements begin in early November and Black Friday has become Terrific Bargain Thursday. Yet, this year the Jewish community has turned our long […]
The Impact of An Attitude of Gratitude
Last evening I was chatting with my son-in-law about children and their individual temperaments. I am the mother of two; he is the father of one (smart, engaging, and totally lovable) child and the sibling of four. We spoke about the differences among even those who were raised in the same households and the amazing […]
Wrestling With Our Own Demons
As this week’s parsha begins, Jacob is at a crossroads. Having built a successful life for himself, he is ready to return to his homeland with his family; to take on the responsibility of the spiritual legacy promised to his grandfather, and father, and now to him. Yet, old demons and fears die hard. To […]
The Strength of Angels
While we can read between the lines of Torah and conjecture, we will not ever know the extent to which Jacob was a bullied child. Did he resort to desperate bargaining because Esau was stronger and his father’s favorite child? Was he never helped to develop the skills of self advocacy needed to cope with someone […]
“It’s Not Fair!”
“It’s not fair; she gets to go visit a friend. Why do I have to stay home?” “Fair is not always the same. Do you only want to be able to visit a friend if your sister is also invited?” “It’s not fair; how come he gets to stay outside?” “Fair is not always the […]
What Does Abraham Teach Us About Telephone Etiquette
As we begin this week’s Torah portion, we find Abraham sitting at the entrance to his tent, absorbed in G-d’s presence. Abraham looks up and sees three people approaching. We are told that he immediately gets up and goes to greet and welcome the visitors. Giving those in his midst his full attention he ensures […]
Does the End Justify the Means?
This week in Torah we meet Avram and Sarai, who will later become Abraham and Sarah. As we see their journey unfold we also see their humanness. We see worry emerge and faith wax and wane as a couple suffers with infertility. We watch relationships dissolve over jealousy, and we leaders lie and mistreat others. […]