Category Archives: Israel
Caring about Israel is to Care about Democracy.
Kol Nidre 5784 Congregation Beth Am, Buffalo Grove, IL One particular day when I lived in Israel as a first-year rabbinic student was particularly memorable. Friends and I gathered to watch the historic Oslo Accords in my small apartment—the old city … Continue reading
Posted in Congregation Beth Am, High Holidays, Israel, sermons, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Celebration
On our last day, we went to Masada and the Dead Sea. We rode camels and will soon have a festive dinner together on our last night in Israel 2017. On Masada we offered mourner’s Kaddish for a dear relative of one … Continue reading
Posted in Congregation Beth Am, Gratitude, Israel, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Out of Darkness
On the short bus ride to Yad VaShem (The Jewish People’s living memorial to the Holocaust), Lana asked us to imagine a room that would fit 100 people, then think of a space that holds 500 people, a 1000 people and … Continue reading
Posted in Anti Semitism, Congregation Beth Am, Israel, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Shabbat
Shavua Tov! Just landing from a truly wonderful Shabbat and pre-Shabbat tour. Friday morning we went to the Ayalon Institute near Rehovot. The website explains it best: “Next to the Rehovot Science Park, on Kibbutz Hill, stands the Ayalon Institute, which … Continue reading
Posted in Israel, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
A Divided City
A call for a day of rage, a tekes/graduation ceremony for tons of Israeli soldiers, a walk on a 2000-year-old sidewalk, a stop to get free WiFi and a toasted cheese bagel. Women standing on chairs, peering over to the men’s … Continue reading
Posted in Israel, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Liberating Judaism
“When we fight against the monopoly, we are actually liberating Judaism for all Israelis and since this is the fastest growing Jewish community on the Planet, it is a worthwhile fight.” Anat Hoffman speaking to our Beth Am Tour this evening. … Continue reading
Posted in Israel
Leave a comment
40 Miles From Damascus
What a difference two years makes. Standing only 40 miles away from Damascus, we looked out from the Golan Heights into Syria. Today, the U.N Guards were looking at their cell phones and only occasionally into their high powered telescope pointing … Continue reading
Posted in Israel
Leave a comment
Silver Platter
We started the day with a lecture and discussion on the complexities of Israeli society and culture with Professor Paul Liptz. One hour for the topic is certainly not nearly enough, but it was enough to make very clear–living here means simultaneously … Continue reading
Posted in Israel, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Se’mu Lev: Pay Heed
Day One: It was a truly beautiful day filled with awe-inspiring moments, facts, tours, descriptions, long walks, new sights and smells and… a day that required stamina and patience. See, there was a massive labor strike in Israel over the … Continue reading
Posted in Israel, Mindfulness
Leave a comment
Israel: Before the Tour!
We landed early this morning and after a relatively easy flight and travel and arrived from Zurich at 3:45. ARZA/DAAT Travel took good care of us so that we were able to check into our room early and sleep before … Continue reading
Posted in Israel, Uncategorized
Leave a comment
Ayin Tova: To See The Good 
You must be logged in to post a comment.