Between Courage and Hope: 91 days Hostages held by Hamas.

Last updated on: January 5, 2024 at 4:58 pm By Susan P Lax

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

The Hostages Held By Hamas Must Come Home

Last updated on: November 9, 2023 at 9:40 am By Susan P Lax

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A month has passed since the horrific massacre of Oct 7th, 2023, in Israel. Yesterday a dear woman asked me” What has it been like for you this past month.” I replied with no hesitation” Like it is Oct 7th every day.”. A month has passed since the horrific massacre of Oct 7th, 2023, in Israel. For me, every day feels like it is still Oct. 7th. My days have no names, Sunday, Tuesday they are all mixed into... Read more

The atrocities the Hamas terrorists did in Israel echoes the barbarisms of the Nazis.

Last updated on: October 13, 2023 at 11:14 pm By Susan P Lax

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The similarities of films of the Holocaust and the evil brutality of Nazis I saw as a young girl. I have sat down numerous times in an effort to write this column. But the dictionary of words to describe any of the occurrences in Israel on Saturday 10.7.23 was blank. The atrocities of the Hamas terrorists did in Israel echoes the barbarisms of Isis and the Nazis. I will not share with you the gruesome photos of what Israeli... Read more

Nurturing the Soul: How does Spiritual Practice Promote Good Mental Health

Last updated on: October 9, 2023 at 8:05 am By Susan P Lax

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Spiritual practice, regardless of one’s religious or philosophical beliefs, plays a pivotal role in promoting good mental health. There is an essential link between spiritual practice and mental health. In our chaotic world, the pursuit for good mental health has become a dominant concern. An abundance of advice on stress reduction, self- awareness and emotional well-being surrounds us. However, the topic of spiritual practice is often thought of as only belonging to the religious or observant. Ignoring the important... Read more

50 Years After the Yom Kippur War:For Me It’s Not Just About Forgiveness

Last updated on: October 10, 2023 at 12:10 am By Susan P Lax

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50 years after the Yom Kippur war, my soul remembers. Yom Kippur is known as a day of atonement and self- forgiveness. A time for reconciliation and spiritual growth. However, for me, it is not just about forgiveness. It is a reminder of my first true meeting with loss and grief. The pains of war. 50 years after the war, my soul remembers. I had just turned 15, it was a warm but comfortable Oct. day. The quiet and peacefulness... Read more

What Feels Different About Rosh Hashana This Year

Last updated on: September 14, 2023 at 12:20 pm By Susan P Lax

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What feels different about Rosh Hashana this year? Rosh Hashanah has always been a very special time of year for me, my soul my being. I would prepare with excitement a readiness for self -reflection. I looked forward to spending time with my spiritual home in NYC Romemu synagogue. Where spiritual, musical and soul nurturing services would wrap their arms around me. However, there is a different energy in the realm of Rosh Hashana. So, what feels different about Rosh... Read more

Autumn Offers Many Spiritual Reflections

Last updated on: September 6, 2023 at 11:58 pm By Susan P Lax

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Autumn offers many spiritual reflections. As each new season approaches, nature shares her wisdom on the gift of renewal. Autumn offers many spiritual reflections. The constant visual change of its landscape making it easier for the soul to understand. In this way, inviting us to pause for introspection and gaze into our own heart’s landscape. By doing so we make room for our own spiritual growth. Changing leaves become our teachers, our guide to transition and letting go. At... Read more

Cardinal Cupich and American Jewish Committee Come Together to Battle Anti-Semitism

Last updated on: August 23, 2023 at 7:59 am By Susan P Lax

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A Catholic Cardinal’s meeting with AJC (American Jewish Committee) stood as a beacon of hope in the ongoing battle of anti-Semitism and Holocaust Denial. In our era, interfaith connections are greatly needed. The core belief in equality for the entirety of humanity is a value that must be nourished by all faiths. This sentiment resonated greatly at the recent Conference of World Religions. A Catholic Cardinal’s meeting with AJC (American Jewish Committee) stood as a beacon of hope, in the... Read more

Humanitarian Organizations Are a Part of Israeli and Jewish Culture.

Last updated on: October 10, 2023 at 12:10 am By Susan P Lax

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A Core teaching in Judaism, the commandment to love and help the stranger. Jews have had to take care of themselves for centuries. All Jews are responsible for each other. Kol Israel aravim zeh lzeh. Jews around the world have heard and internalized this saying. An oppressed minority, Jews learned early on to form their own humanitarian organizations. However, I have used a different core teaching in Judaism to lead my way. The commandment to love and help the stranger... Read more

Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has Succeeded in Disrupting the Flow of Unity

Last updated on: August 9, 2023 at 12:17 pm By Susan P Lax

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Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has succeeded in disrupting the flow of unity even within myself. Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has succeeded in disrupting the flow of unity even within myself. I am heading back to NYC after 3 and a half weeks of being in Tel-Aviv. Ranked one of the happiest cities in the world. I am used to switching gears from my Israeli mode to my NY one. Both, live contently in my heart. Because I spend time... Read more