Why Judaism?
Reflecting on taking Passover seriously, approaching spirituality from a feminist lens, and choosing Temple Israel of Alameda.
Shabbat Parah 5783: Purity of Vision
Reflecting on the ancient practice of burning a red heifer and using its ashes for purification. How can we purify our vision for the future of our kahal kodesh, our holy community?
Remember Amalek and connect with Ner Tamid 5783
Remembering the enemy, Amalek, reminds us that evil exists: not just in other people, but within each of us. In Parashah Tetzaveh we are commanded to keep the Ner Tamid continuously lit within our inner sanctuary: Light to challenge evil.
Repro Shabbat 2023
Parashat Mishpatim sermon explaining that women’s bodily autonomy is sacrosanct. Reviewing Exodus 21:22-25 and statements by the Reform and Conservative Movements of Judaism.
The Exodus, the Shoah, and the Jewish Roundtable of Alameda Unified
We are leaving Egypt in this week’s Torah portion. We remember the Shoah, yet our children go to school with rising support for neo-Nazism.
Maintain Alameda District Funding For Arts-Integration at Maya Lin Elementary
A letter to the Alameda School Board: The Maya Lin arts-integrated model encouraged me to move my family to Alameda. The district needs to accept its obligation to support this nationally recognized education model.
Vaera: God appears
God appears to Moses and declares God's Proper Name. Understand God's names to understand our relationship to the Ground of Being. Reflect on how God appears today.
Hope and Community in the Secular New Year
My thoughts on the rise in anti-Jewish bias, Zionism and Judaism, and my hopes for the secular new year.
Public Jew Hate in Kislev
Reflections on the rise of anti-Jewish Rhetoric in the month of Kislev 5783. Shabbat Sermon at Temple Israel.
Teshuvah and Creating Spiritual Community
Accepting the yoke of the Divine. Waking up to our obligations. Joyously entering 5783.
Kol Nidre: The Dark Night of the Soul
Kol Nidre: the night when we practice for our deaths. The dark night of the soul. Facing the reality of our lives and our inevitable deaths.
This Time of Truth, Brokenness, Teshuvah, and Apologies
Facing our choice, apologizing and accepting apologies. The core themes of Rosh HaShanah 5783.
Avinu Malkeinu: Our Parent, Our Sovereign
Avinu Malkeinu is a central prayer of the High Holy Days, yet its imagery can turn people off. Do we really need a Father and King?
