Excerpts From My Blog
Shavuot (Thursday!) Night of Learning with R. Judith Hauptman and R. Moishe Steigmann
The first night of Shavuot traditionally includes a tikkun leyl Shavuot — a full night of learning and study. While I do not plan to teach until sunrise this year, The Spark Wisconsin is sponsoring a Night of Learning. In addition to my...
Continue readingHappy Earth Day!!
While we wish that we could have given the Earth its birthday gift under different circumstances, we should all be proud that the Earth is having such a refreshing, rejuvenating, and restorative day following a few weeks of us living alongside...
Continue readingReady to lead a live seder on Zoom!
My seder table. Image on top: How I am set up to lead on online Zoom seder for more than 100 participants!...
Online Learning Sessions, First-Night Seder on Zoom!
Since many of us home and since many of us might be more disconnected than usual from our communities, I want to offer online learning opportunities. PLEASE KEEP CHECKING BACK ON THIS POST FOR UPDATED LEARNING SESSIONS! Adults and children welcome, and...
Continue readingWhy I’m Self-Quarantining for Fourteen Days, Why I Urged My Synagogue to Close, and Why You Should, Too: A Reflection on Leadership
My head is swimming, and it has been for many days. It’s hard to keep straight so many conflicting yet intertwined realities. What is my role as a leader? As a house guest? As a member of society? As a friend?...
Continue readingSpeaking at Milwaukee Strong: A Vigil to Unite & Heal
I had the honor and privilege of representing the Wisconsin Council of Rabbis alongside a dozen other faith leaders and numerous local and statewide elected officials at tonight’s vigil outside Milwaukee City Hall in memory of the victims of the Molson...
Continue readingGuest on Shmuel Rosner’s weekly Torah Talk
I had the joy and privilege of being a guest on the weekly Torah talk of author and journalist Shmuel Rosner as hosted on the Jewish Journal. Enjoy the video, and please let me know any thoughts that you have to...
Continue readingMy Trip to Israel: Seeing a Man Who’s Bought Fruits and Vegetables
“What did you do?” “Where did you go?” “What did you see?” These are the natural and anticipated questions. Over this past winter break, I had the joy and privilege of being in Israel with my kids, Matan and Yael, for...
Continue readingBart Starr, the police, and genuine kindness
Bart Starr is quoted as teaching, “You can tell the true measure of a man by how he treats someone who can do nothing for him.” Just a couple of days ago, I had parked illegally outside a friend’s house in...
Continue readingKindness can Overwhelm Hate
Acts of kindness like this one by Jamario Howard don’t put an end to hate and horror (furthered by the attack at a synagogue in Poway, California), but they’re a start — and something that each of us can do. Now,...
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