My d’var Torah (brief teaching) at the beginning of last week’s Board of Directors meeting for my non-profit organization, The Spark Wisconsin–and a tribute to my late cousin, Howard Katz, who constantly encouraged me and my rabbinic work and who the...
Continue readingForetelling the Future: A 2021 New Years Blessing
On Saturday, January 2nd, as we celebrate our first Shabbat of 2021, we read parashat vayehi. In these final chapters of Genesis, the first of the five books of the Torah, Jacob bestows a blessing upon each of his sons at...
Continue readingA Hanukkah Blessing: Increasing Our Joy
In the talmud, Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai debate the procedure for lighting the Hanukkah candles. Beit Shammai argues that we should light eight candles the first night, decreasing to one candle on the final night. From their perspective, the first...
Continue readingResponding to President Trump’s Positive Test for COVID
Many will be celebrating the news that President Trump tested positive for COVID. But that is neither the Jewish way nor the American ideal. “Rejoice not when your enemy falters, and let not your heart be glad when they stumble.”...
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Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Righteousness, and Dying on Rosh Hashanah
TRANSCRIPTION: For many of us, our Jewish New Year of 5781 began with the news of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing. Putting politics aside, she dedicated her life to public service and advocacy, and she was a titan in advancing gender...
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A Shofar Moment, 9/17/2020
Today’s mindful reflection in the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah followed by the sounding of the shofar....
A Shofar Moment with a GUEST shofar blower!
A daily mindful reflection in the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah followed by the sounding of the shofar....
A Shofar Moment, 9/15/2020
Today’s mindful reflection in the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah followed by the sounding of the shofar....
A Shofar Moment, 9/14/2020
Today’s mindful reflection in the week leading up to Rosh Hashanah followed by the sounding of the shofar....
A Shofar Moment: 9/13/2020
A Shofar Moment for 9/13/2020: A reflection for the day followed by the sounding of the shofar. ...
