What does it mean to be a part of something greater than yourself? What does it mean to live a life of meaning? What does it mean to be a Jew? An Israeli? These and other profound questions are raised by “On the Map,” (2016) an excellent documentary written and directed by Dani Menkin. “On […]
Holidays
A Sukkah of Peace
For the last couple of years we’ve had “themed” Sukkahs at The Davis Academy. This year’s theme is: Sukkat Shlomeicha (Sukkah of God’s Peace). Or more colloquially, “The Peace Sukkah.” I’m really excited about it. The inspiration for this theme comes from a Jewish prayer called, “Hashkiveinu.” It is one of many (many) Jewish prayers […]
A Rosh Hashanah Prayer
a good year a sweet year a caring year a kind year a listening year a connecting year a year of truth a year of strength a year of balance a year of peace a year of breathing a year of stretching a year of reaching a year of grasping a year of seeing […]
Judge (#BlogElul 19)
No one had to appoint you judge, jury, and executioner. You took that upon yourself. Like the protagonist in a Kafka story. Now you’re banging the gavel, viewing yourself through the eyes of 12 strange and unseeing peers, and dawning the black hood of your own premature demise. And like a character only Kafka […]
Ask (#BlogElul 18)
Ask. But be prepared for the silence that follows. Ask. But only if you’re cool with the response no matter how unexpected or untenable. Ask. But not if you’re sure you’ve got the answer. Ask. But only if you’re ready/willing/able to listen. — Sometimes the truest questions remain unasked because we fear the awkwardness of […]
Forgive (#BlogElul 12)
Forgive yourself forgive others forgive God forgive the universe forgive the past forgive the present forgive the future if you believe there is something that needs to be forgiven. But also know that everything that you’ve done, everything that has happened to you, whether human, divine, or self-afflicted, has already been transformed into something other […]