Shabbat as a Movie
My rabbi asked, "If Shabbat were a movie, would you stay until the end? Would you walk out in the middle? Would you buy the DVD?" I thought about services and why I try and get there every Friday night.
Past, Present, and Future
Our frenetic world is beset with difficult and complex issues and one within which all manner of things must (ostensibly) be dealt with immediately, if not sooner.
A Reform Jew-by-Choice Begins His Journey to the Rabbinate
I began my journey to Judaism nervously. Unlike the Charedim (ultra-Orthodox) who are anxious before the word of God, I was anxious in the uncertainty of the future.
In Lockdown, We Built a Cyber-Sanctuary
Never in my life have I craved Shabbat as deeply as I did on Friday, April 19th, 2013.
The Music of Avinu Malkeinu
In the game “Truth-or-Dare,” I choose “truth” nearly every time. I’m not much of a dare-taker. Thus, if you and I were playing “Special Edition Truth-or-Dare: High Holy Days,” I would confess that the prayer Avinu Malkeinu provides me with both my second-favorite liturgical moment and my second-greatest pet peeve of the year’s liturgy. (Note: Even though I may have to repent for it, I will leave you in suspense about my favorite liturgical moment and my greatest liturgical pet peeve. Also, “Special Edition Truth-or-Dare: High Holy Days” is fictional, although I hereby declare copyright in the event Mattel or Hasbro comes knocking at my door.)
Checkout-Line Blessings at the Israeli Supermarket
Although Israel is filled with many religious people, most supermarket visits don’t come with a side of checkout-line-blessings like the ones I witnessed recently.
A New Jew Showing up for Shabbat with a Resolute Welcome
There’s nothing unique about my grief following the murders in Pittsburgh except that the fear imbedded in it is new to me.
What Can We Learn from a Chasidic Melody?
Nigunim, wordless melodies, can take numerous forms: some are fast and energetic, others are ponderous and slow, still others dance back and forth between joy and sorrow.
Why I Observed Havdalah Alone - and What it Taught Me
https://reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/shabbat
Havdalah isn’t much fun when I’m by myself, but I do it anyway.