Twenty-five years ago, my paternal grandmother, Sylvie, passed away just before Chanukah. Eighteen years later, my maternal grandmother, Nancy, did the same. Every year at Chanukah, I think about them both, and I also spend a bit of time remembering those two strange Chanukahs, when we lit the menorah only hours after their funerals. I Continue Reading »
This week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah (the life of Sarah,) opens not with life, as the title might suggest, but instead with Sarah’s death. We find Abraham in deep grief- mourning, weeping, and likely wondering how he will move forward without her. But rather than withdrawing from society, or weeping by Sarah’s side forever, we Continue Reading »
On this Shabbat we read Parashat Eikev, the third parasha of Devarim or Deuteronomy. The portion is a continuation of Moses’ speech to the Israelites as they stand ready to enter the land of Israel. They are reminded that they must keep God’s commandments in order to find life meaningful and fulfilling. They are reminded Continue Reading »
All of us are well aware that we, along with the greater American Jewish community, are living in very disconcerting times. We are not only feeling incredibly vulnerable after repeated events of antisemitism, we know that we are vulnerable as we are living in a moment when violence towards us and many others is not Continue Reading »
