Monthly Archives: September 2011

Today I went to one of the 9/11 Commemoration Events in our Area. The commemoration was about bringing light out of darkness.  It was about healing and comforting those in need and it was about taking pride in the building … Continue reading →

Pema Chodron writes in The Places that Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times: At [the beginning of our practice] joy is just a feeling that our own situation is workable.  We stop looking for a more suitable … Continue reading →

my brain hurts from thinking and doing too much and i am ready to call it a night–early for me.  only 9pm. soon i will tuck my oldest in bed for the night. we will say prayers. i will remind … Continue reading →

This morning I was a participant in a focus group for rabbis about addiction in the Jewish community.  One rabbi spoke about how there are times when we feel empty inside.  We hunger and search to fill the void inside.  Some … Continue reading →

In the July/August issue of Yoga Chicago Magazine, there is a wonderful review of the  The 12th Midwest Yoga Conference that took place this past May. “All for Love” was the theme this year and editor Sharon Steffensen writes the following about … Continue reading →

This is a cross-post from my friend and colleague Rabbi Phyllis Sommer Her blog is Thoughts From Rabbi Phyllis, and she is also participating in #BlogElul. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 01, 2011 Seeking Sun: #BlogElul I have a friend who loves the … Continue reading →

Elul Day 6~ I officiated at a wedding tonight and was reminded how the support of community and of loved ones can help us become the one who we are meant to be. Teshuva~returning is easier when others help point … Continue reading →

Gabi, my 9 year old wanted to make sure I was going to sing her 7 year old brother his bedtime prayers tonight even though his twin sister was at a sleepover.  I said “yes” and then she quietly asked … Continue reading →

Many years ago while living in Jerusalem, my friend and teacher Ozer Bergman gave me the book Under the Table and How to Get Up: Jewish Pathways of Spiritual Growth by Avraham Greenbaum.  It begins with the following story which I will offer tonight at … Continue reading →

Rabbi Bunam, a Hasidic rebbe  who lived over a century ago, taught his followers:  “Our great transgression is not that we commit sins:  Temptation is strong and our strength is weak.  No, our transgression is that at every instant we … Continue reading →