It was a burning hot summer, 34 years ago in Jerusalem. I had been backpacking for a month in Scotland and England, and had just got to Israel a few days earlier. The ninth of Av that year was on Shabbat, so the day-long fast commemorating the destruction of the Temple in 68 CE was pushed of…
The image is fixed. Seared in my mind, in my memory, forever. The lioness, Shiri Bibas HY’D, holding her boys in her arms, the fear and determination written on her face. The pictures and videos of her family life that we all saw in the aftermath tell a story of love, happiness, laughter a…
When we sing the song ‘Eshet Chayil’ as we welcome in the Sabbath, we recite the verses describing a woman secure in her role, proud of her vast accomplishments, appreciated for her wisdom, courage, and goodness. Today, I’d like to share the stories of three women of valor who share al…
I was looking for some notes from an almost-forgotten report I had written many years ago, and found myself searching through some very old emails from a little-used hotmail account several days ago.
I came across an old story I had saved back in 2003 - which I am not sure I ever used - tha…
I'd like to share a narrative with you, and two questions, not unlike some of those we ask on the Seder night. The purpose is to provoke thought and further discussion. The questions may provide an opportunity to turn a lens on ourselves, and draw conclusions, as we celebrate the story and t…
The Jewish people have a complicated relationship with the concept of gratitude. After the exodus from Egypt, we are told that the grumbling and complaining began immediately, and the idea of ‘God took us out of Egypt to have us die in the desert’ was repeatedly heard. And yet, some of o…
Last Friday, the Olympia neighborhood in Monsey and people across the nation were stunned and grief stricken by the sudden and tragic death of Rabbi Eliyahu (Eli) Fink z’l in an accident. R’ Fink was 43 years old, a father, husband, lawyer, journalist, educator and Rabbi. He founded the …
I had three conversations over the past two weeks that I have spent some time thinking about. The first was via Facebook messenger, the second was on the phone, and the third was via Zoom. The first one left me a bit discouraged, the second one tested my self-control, but the third one left …
Last night, I had the challenge and privilege of unexpectedly reading Megilat Esther for my family, as one of us was unable to attend reading at our shul. It’s been several years since I had done the reading, but I had learned it in order to teach it to my eldest more than 15 years ago as…
I know that many of you, our newsletter subscribers, have been reading these weekly messages regularly, for up to three years. It has been an honor and a privilege for me to write for our community, to share thoughts, ideas, convictions and consolation. It has been especially cathartic for m…
Strap in. This is going to be a long read, but it’s worth it.
Our community is very familiar with the murder of 6 million of our people during the Shoah.
The word Genocide was first conceived and used by Polish-Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin a year before the death camps were revealed and …
Nine years ago, I was engaged in a discussion with a colleague about the utility of the January 27th International Holocaust Memorial Day which is observed on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. At the time, I was remarking on what looked to me like a misdirection of focus. I wro…
This week, we’ve all experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as word of a ceasefire and hostage return deal shifted from possible to likely to agreed-in-principle. Knowing that many of the hostages will not be coming back alive is a crushing reality that families are grappling with, and co…
Today marks some 2500 years (depending on what account and date you use) since the army of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar encircled Jerusalem, capital of the Kingdom of Judah. In the Jewish tradition, this day, the 10th day of Tevet, is marked by fasting, and it precedes the fasting obse…
Writing is one of my greatest passions. As have many, I discovered this passion as a product of a childhood suffused with books. At home, at school, in the public library, as I walked from the bus stop (!!), under my blankets in bed with a flashlight, wherever and wherever I could. I read my…
