Do Members of My Faith Have Special Observances for International Holocaust Day Do members of my faith have special observances for International Holocaust Day? Of course, we do, this is part of our DNA, part of who we are. Remembrance candles are lit, survivors are invited to speak, synagogues hold ceremonies. However, for many of us, we don’t need a ritual or observance to recall. What so clearly is ingrained in the souls of second, third and even fourth generation... Read more
How Can We Affect Change “How can we affect change?” is a question I continue to explore. Since I grew up on a Kibbutz in Israel, Martin Luther King was a hero figure from afar. I was so intrigued by his determination and faith to bring about change. So much so, that I chose to write my senior high school paper on his influence on education in the United States. The message that stayed close to my heart was the... Read more
How Do We Hear What Our Soul is Telling Us? There is no magical telephone line, or radio station that allows one to hear the voice of their soul. And yet we are constantly told to listen to what our soul is telling us. So how do we hear what our soul is telling us? Like Anything Else It Takes Practice I have found in my work as a spiritual counselor, that like anything else, making time and space... Read more
It is not always easy to combat the brutal winds. Winter here in New York is cold, the brutal wind shouts with a fierceness at the corner of my block. It is not always easy to combat the brutal winds. Catching my breath can be a battle in itself. Finding a way to get through them is definitely a challenge for me. Thinking about one accomplishment I achieved that day. I have figured out a system that enables my mind... Read more
Why Food is Much More than a Dish at my Holiday Table Food Fragrances at Our Holiday Celebration Every holiday brings a scent of cooking and baking that fills a home, each with its own unique dish at the table. While faith traditions may differ, food always plays a central part in holiday celebrations. Our families and loved ones gather and expect the smell of pies and cakes in the oven. Or we are welcomed by the deep fragrance of a... Read more
How to Wish a Happy Hanukkah ‘Tis the holiday season again, and friends of all faiths are celebrating their traditions with friends and family. Like every year, you might find yourself wondering how to best wish someone a happy Hanukkah. But first, we need to think about what Hanukkah is. What Is Hanukkah? Hanukkah is a holiday filled with the wonderment of a flame and sacredness of a miracle, symbolizing resilience and hope throughout our history. In this joyous holiday, we... Read more
Hatred Captures Our Attention Much of the world’s attention is often turned toward words of division between faiths, of hateful rhetoric and divisive action. It’s easy to understand why – influential figures with hundreds of millions of followers have recently made headlines for divisive remarks. Instead of building bridges between faiths and traditions, we focus on what divides us. Faith, in all colors and creeds, shares more than just ideas and religious figures. All congregations spread hope and light among... Read more
Thanks to Giving MORNING INSPIRATION Thanks to giving. Offer your knowledge, wisdom and experience. Share your stories, sing your songs. Listen with intent, provide your compassion. Gift the gentleness of an unconditional embrace. Devote a moment to making it better, learn his language, honor her needs. Swim side by side in the ocean of humanity, this is your heart giving. It is in giving that we connect with each other and the world. May we all be touched by the... Read more
MORNING INSPIRATION There is never room for bigotry, racism, or ill treatment toward anyone. There is never room for actions of abhorrence proclaiming to be just. There is never room for hatred. There is always room for kindness. There is always room for love. There is always room for respect. Allow room for all that can make the moments of our world better ones. I wrote this Morning Inspiration after the march in Charlottesville when slurs of hatred... Read more
Getting Busy in the Kitchen of Your Soul Being back in NYC from Tel-Aviv is always a day or two of mind adjusting. This time I fell into election energy, similar to where I had just come from. Some clear and pure heart awareness moments are what I needed. When I write Morning Inspiration, it consists of something from my moments. Hoping to lift another soul and usually it lifts mine as well. The Morning Inspiration below consists of various... Read more
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