WORDS THAT BREATHE

91-year-old Deanna came to visit me to find some comfort after her beloved husband Alvin died. Turns out, she spent more time teaching me Torat Chayim (the Torah of Life).

We must live in the world of the ordinary. But if we then open our eyes and look — really look — we can glimpse the extraordinary.

Synagogues, like our own Congregation Or Ami, are retooling, experimenting, failing at times, and picking themselves up to innovate anew. The results are exhilarating! Jewish Start Up Synagogues – often the older shuls that are renewing themselves – are exciting and exceedingly hopeful.

Halloween Torah: The Akedah is a bloodcurdling tale of a menacing father who almost murders his kid, a nightmare waiting to keep you up all night.

Lech L'cha - our journeys, especially those that lead us beyond the familiar or out of our comfort zones, can lead to inspiring metamorphosis. When Abraham and Sarah ventured into the unknown, they became a long lasting great nation. We pray that by embracing inclusion our synagogues, camps, youth movements, day schools, JCC’s and other Jewish organizations will similarly heed the Divine call.

Two by Two: A Pair of 10 Lessons from Noah's Ark.

Genesis, Parashat Bereshit, overflows with abiding lessons about Creation, humanity's purpose, Torah's truth, life's unclarity, radical amazement. Here are this year's favorite Torah Tidbits.