In this week’s torah portion, we learn about Jacob and how he fled from his brother Esau after stealing his birthright and deceiving his father, Isaac. On the way to Haran, he dreams of a ladder reaching to the heavens with angels ascending and descending. Fleeing Esau, Jacob must go To Haran where his fortune […]
Occupy Jewish Education
Something has been bothering me lately. Where are all the congregational educators? Let me back up. If you’ve read my previous posts, you know that I’ve been taking part in on-line conversations about Jewish education. They’ve been great. They’ve opened doors that lead to a bevy of potential Jewish futures. But there’s one element that […]
What Would Abraham Do?
Thanksgiving is a perfect opportunity to follow Abraham’s example in the Torah Portion Va-Yera and perform the mitzvah of Hachnasat Orchim, welcoming guests. We bustle about, as Abraham did, preparing a feast and making our visitors feel comfortable. We embrace Thanksgiving as a treasured tradition; a Norman Rockwell scene of family and friends thankfully enjoying […]
Nusseibeh, Avineri & the Jewish People
What follows is not news – I’m nearly two months behind things. But then again, everything on the internet is simultaneous, isn’t it? So I think it remains worth discussing. Maybe it’s news to you. On September 30, perhaps the leading Palestinian peace advocate, Sari Nusseibeh, published an essay on why Israel cannot be a “Jewish […]
Toldot Limerick
Oy! Such a disnfunctional family! Isaac gets blindsided (literally) by his wife and son. Jacob cheats Esau. Esau vows revenge. Rebecca teaches her son to cheat…. No wonder so many Jews become psychiatrists (and patronize them….) While Jacob was cooking a meal Esau returned from the field He said gimme’ some stew Jake said, “Sure, […]
Truly Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving
One in three children is living in poverty in America. Nearly one in three children will be born into a home where a parent will find it difficult to put food onto their tables. One in three children is living in a home where the family’s annual income, assuming a family of four, is less […]
My Food Stamp Challenge
Ansche Chesed folks know that last week I undertook the food stamp challenge – the self-imposed commitment to live for a week as if all I could spend on food and drink was $4.50 per day, the average benefit. Since I went from Shabbat to Shabbat, I only went six days, not seven, and spent […]
The Blessing Of the Parent Teacher Conference
51 parent-teacher conferences. That’s right, I have had 51 rounds of parent-teacher conferences for my three children over 11 years, beginning in the Fall of 2001 when I sent my oldest to Classroom 7 here at the JCC. And while you might expect that at this point I would feel nonchalant about the next round […]
Vayera and Chaye Sarah
Vayera To Abraham, God did request “Kill Isaac, the one you love best” As he raised up his knife To take his son’s life God said: “Stop! It was only a test!” Chaye Sarah After Sarah dies and is buried Isaac, then must be married Rebecca brings relief For poor Isaac’s grief When into his […]
Torah Commentary – Lech L’cha
CNN recently aired a segment on “Klout.” As defined by the young, earnest CEO of the Klout start-up, Klout is a measure of one’s personal and/or professional success based on how effectively one uses social media. So- if your blog has hundreds of followers; you’re the subject of thousands of tweets; your Facebook page attracts […]
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