The new year is certainly off to a magnificent start: beginning with our trip to L’taken – the social justice advocacy and lobbying program for teens conducted by the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. Read More »

A few thoughts about “resolutions” for 2012: Learn to use my new iPad more efficiently, productively; Help keep the house a little cleaner (from all my junk); Play more guitar – practice more too!; Enjoy quiet moments; Let go of frustrations (ha!); Read More »

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, eighth night: final thoughts on the last eve of the Festival Hanukkah Radio has resonated through the house the entire Festival…my musical friends and heroes providing the soundtrack for Hanukkah… And today is our 19th anniversary… Read More »

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, seventh night (okay – with all these subsequent successive entries, I kinda fell like George Lucas!) Listening to Radio Hanukkah on Sirius/XM all day…now making maftoul and shnitzel for dinner… Less than three weeks from now we’ll celebrate the milestone of Bar Mitzvah for Ben…. Read More »

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, sixth night For several years, there has been an effort to recognize one night of Hanukkah as ner shel tzedakah (the light of righteousness), reminding us during our celebration that our real job as members of the human family is to strive for justice for all. Read More »

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, fifth night Relaxing on a Saturday evening We had lovely spirited services for both erev shabbat and Shabbat morning – from lighting candles at Temple to reading from miketz and discussing the power of dreams in Jewish tradition Read More »

HANNUKAH 2011/5772, fourth night On the seventh day God rested from the work of Creation for it was complete enough to engage us, the human family, to be Divine partners throughout time in maintaining and perfecting the world. These words (or something very similar) are what I say to introduce kiddush every Shabbat eve during t’filah . Read More »

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, third night LIGHTING UP THE WORLD (thanks to Peter Himmelman and David Broza) This Festival of Lights is about shining light in places of darkness, bringing compassion into the world, and sharing love. The word “Hanukkah” itself of course means “dedication. Read More »

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, second nightHODU L’ADONAI KI TOV – “Praise Adonai, for God is good, God’s steadfast love is eternal.” (Ps. 118: 1). Today has been the first day of Hanukkah. Read More »

HANUKKAH 2011/5772, first nightThis week marks the 25th yahrzeit since the passing of my grandmother, Mary Siroka. Hard to believe how much time has gone. I was a sophomore in college (at American University, Harvard on the Potomac : ) and was on winter break. Read More »

Okay – at this point, I can actually say I’ve been involved with the Reform Movement in Judaism for well more than 40 yrs (born into it, and having played some active role as a Reform Jew the entire time since). Read More »

OKAY – so the month following the fall Holy Days (mostly coinciding with the Hebrew month of Cheshvan – called by the sages mar cheshvan – “poor cheshvan” because of the lack of holidays) has been entirely too busy. Read More »

It was a fall evening, long time ago…staying up way past bedtime…I remember watching Carlton Fisk’s epic homer in the ’75 series – Reds/Red Sox (perhaps the best ever)…I can picture the layout of our family room, exactly where the TV was, and all that… Read More »

On this Sukkot – time of our rejoicing – for what are you thankful?Me – the various opportunities to teach in the community, and to build community with so many wonderful people from different backgrounds…(photo above from recent guest teaching appearance and St. Mary’s, Notre Dame IN. Read More »

May this Shabbat of sacred commemoration also be one of celebration. As we look back with tenderness on the tragic events of 9-11 (and following), and still deal with the pain and challenge that has ensued – I hope we also find the strength of our highest values inspiring us to work together to build bridges of understanding across all lines. Read More »

I’ve come to think of Elul (the month preceding Rosh HaShanah, in which we prepare for the New Year) to be something of a “preseason” for those of us who think in terms of Jewish time. Read More »

Summer’s been a pretty darn good one : ) yet I seem to be at a loss for creative inspiration. If you’ve got the keys to creativity (or at least a suggestion or two how to recapture it), PLEASE share…. Read More »

What a terrific session it has been so far – half way through Kallah Bet at OSRUI. The kids are great, the staff is fabulous, and of course working with my colleagues and friends on faculty is as enriching as ever. Read More »

It was the last Tuesday of June, 1979. I was twelve years old, and a newly “entering 7th grader”. The car – my parents’ ’79 Oldsmobilve Delta 88 Royale, in which I’d learn to drive a few years later – was packed to the hilt (well, not really, as the trunk was big enough to use as a dwelling for a medium sized family). Read More »

Only once in my life did I seriously consider making aliya – moving to Israel. A (very) brief thought crossed my mind about how exciting/challenging/fulfilling it might be to cultivate my Jewish identity in our ancient homeland. Mostly, I have come to understand that it is a gift to be Jewish in the Western world. Read More »