Choosing Joy Takes Courage Can one choose joy in a world that is filled with uncertainty and turmoil? When sorrow and sadness feel like the most natural and simplest response? It can seem tempting- even familiar- to fall into the arms of hopelessness. Especially when the news is filled with stories of war, injustice, fear and much suffering. But choosing joy takes courage. Joy Requires Intentional Practice Despair can be a comfort zone for many. The decision to step beyond... Read more
Hostage Square: A Gathering Place of Solidarity In front of the Tel-Aviv Museum of Art, not far from my apartment lies Hostage Square, a gathering place of solidarity. This square has become a place where families of hostages receive support, and a weekly rally takes place. People congregate for Havdalah every Sat. night, before the start of the rally. Brought together by faith and a desire to overcome despair, and united by an unwavering demand: bring them home. A... Read more
My practice of acceptance and letting go became fragile. As 2024 comes to an end, I find my thoughts reflecting on the interwoven topics of acceptance and letting go. Both are essential for balance in our relationships, with ourselves, others and a higher power. Judaism offers many spiritual practices that nurture such a balance. However, this past year,2024, presented unprecedented challenges and complexities. The traumatizing events of Oct 7th shattered my ability to find solace in these. My practice of... Read more
Yet without her knowledge, Rachel Goldberg-Polin became my teacher of unexpected soul lessons. I have learned from many teachers in classrooms and others from life’s unexpected moments. Yet, I had never imagined I would receive such inspirational and profound teachings from a mother’s pain. Rachel Goldberg-Polin is the mother of Hersh Goldberg -Polin, who was executed by Hamas, after 330 days of captivity. She fought day in day out, for over 11 months persistently with unwavering grace and determination to... Read more
Growing up with the Notion of Tikkun Olam-Repairing the World The world seems broken into pieces of heartache, grief and fear. I, in my 66 years have never experienced such times. Everyday seems to deliver another package of worry, bloodshed and suffering. Yet I was brought up on the notion of Tikkun Olam- translated from Hebrew, fixing or repairing the world. A value handed down to me by past generations. I was taught this is my obligation as a Jew,... Read more
On this Yom Kippur, there will be no forgiveness for Bibi Netanyahu. Yom Kippur, is a day when our heart is invited to focus on forgiveness, atonement and self-reflection. Bibi’s Yom Kippur will not offer him Forgiveness nor atonement. His lack of action and signing a deal to return the hostages held in Gaza is unpardonable. Amongst them Keith Seigel, a dear man, brother to a beloved friend of mine. He abandoned the people of Israel, his country, on Oct... Read more
Peace is the Way Peace is a continuous wish. We wish for it between countries, people and within ourselves. It cannot just be a wish it must be the manner of our being. Peace must drive our ideas,, our creations, the form of the world. Peace is Between Individuals as Well We hear about activists who strive to end wars. That is a wonderful cause. I don’t think there is any other option. However, one should not forget the... Read more
Triad of Human Experience, and A Complex World Life’s journey is made up of a rainbow of emotions, each one helping shape our existence in profound ways. Among these, joy, gratitude, and grief are essential to our everyday living, they are deeeply connected and aid us in understanding the world. These days, the world has gotten very hard to understand. Moments of joy and gratitude help carry me through the many waves of grief. The massacre of October 7th still... Read more
I didn’t know, how I would hold hope amidst the sounds of war? Hope used to be one of the brightest in my garden of moments. I would advocate for its sweetness. In the most challenging of times, guide the ill and grieving. To their own treasures of hope. And then Oct 7th happened. My soul was captured by grief, fear, pain and unbearable sadness. Hope seemed to have fled down the rivers of my tears. I didn’t know, how... Read more
It is almost 100 days since Hamas massacred and took hostages from the villages of Southern Israel. It takes courage to hold hope in challenging times. In between the two there can be many moments of darkness. It is almost 100 days since Hamas massacred and took hostages from the villages of Southern Israel. Surviving such a traumatic experience takes immense courage. Speaking up afterward requires strength and resilience beyond measure. I know listening to their bravery allows me to... Read more
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