Blog

We are in the middle of the final month of the Jewish calendar, the month of Elul. For Rabbis and Cantors particularly, it is a very busy month on so many levels. The Rabbi part of me is crafting four sermons for Rosh Hashanah (two evening and two daytime), two sermons for Yom Kippur, and I think six sermons for Sukkot. The Cantor part of me is reviewing the entire Machzor, refamiliarizing myself as well as...Read more...

I know that the word does not exist in any dictionary, and there is no recommended alternative, but I find that it describes certain situations best, even if I was the one who created the word: retraumatization. I intend its use to describe a situation where someone who has experienced trauma experiences it again. The second experience might not be identical to the original, but it can cause the sufferer to have a...Read more...

Separate conversations with three psychologists have confirmed my undocumented observations that people are less happy these days. I see less smiling and joking, and greater concern for the future. Certainly October 7 continues to impact the Jewish community in particular, as antisemitism expands its daily presence, coupled with yet another rejection of a ceasefire by Hamas. Where is the...Read more...

I hope that you have found opportunities to watch the Paris Olympics either through the television or various livestreaming platforms. The agility, speed, strength, endurance and artistry of the athletes is beyond compare. While I certainly root for the American team, I also just marvel at every athlete’s performance. The Israeli team has won a record six medals, one of them gold. To witness the playing of...Read more...

I’ve remarked before about the staggeringly high level of uncivil discourse in our country coming from both elected officials and those seeking office. Just when you think it has reached its nadir, they go even lower. Is it the inability to recognize that words have consequences, or the utter disregard for any impact? Television ads speaking ill of one’s primary opponent have now morphed into attacks upon...Read more...