In Other News...

During our trip, one of the things we talked about with the many people we met, whether Jewish, Christian, Arab, Druze, or immigrant, were labels. How do these folks identify themselves? I thought a lot about identity on the trip – and have now reflected on how Israel impacted me. Here are a few of my takeaways:

I felt safe in Israel. Honestly, safer than I do in Florida these days. It’s the extraordinary feeling of being part of...Read more...

I vividly remember getting a headache for the first time when I was about 14, at my high school fashion show. Upon entering the building, a crowded sea of teenagers surrounded me. I tried to navigate the chaotic scene, but I felt overwhelmed as they filled the halls and staircases. My friend and I pushed through and rushed down the stairs to the gym, and there we saw a blinding show of bright, colorful searing lights, and loud...Read more...

Most of us know this week’s parsha, Tol’dot, for the story of Jacob and Esau. There’s a lot there – stolen birthright and blessing, imperfect heroes, the Torah’s binary presentation of the twins, one good and one bad. There’s hate and sort-of reconciliation. Much that resonates in our polarized world.

But I want to talk about another part of this parsha: the story of...Read more...

This Shabbat we read from the beginning of the book of Deuteronomy. While the later chapters are full of the high drama of Moses’ death, this week’s portion, D’varim, is part of a recap of the Israelites 40 years of wandering in the desert. The book opens with “These are the words that Moses addressed to all Israel on the other side of the Jordan.”  The Israelites must be reminded of their journey as they prepare to...Read more...

Published on Forward.com

Climate change was such a concern for one local Boulderite that she felt it needed to be included in her D'var Torah. In a recent interview, Natasha Dickson and her mother Lisa Sundell, talked about the connection between a 13th Mitzvah and JTree.

Natasha’s interest emerged at the same time that Lisa saw JTree information in the Har Hashem newsletter. The connection was made of both passion and purpose, and the JTree donation link...Read more...

This last Yom Kippur, we held a full service at Midreshet Ben-Gurion, the central hub of my community, which is the larger Ramat Hanagev Regional Council. Our Hazan was orthodox, originally from the settlement of Tkoa, home to one of the most renowned peace activists in Israel, Rabbi Menachem Fruman, of blessed memory. Our Kol Nidrei was performed by a female singer from the Mitze Ramon music school, and we...Read more...

Roxanne Bailin and Sara-Jane Cohen accepted Bridge Houses's Landlord of the Year Award at Ready to Work's 2019 graduation. The award recognizes the year-old partnership between our congregation and Bridge House to end homelessness by combining existing housing stock, public and private rental subsidies, and case management to help successful Ready to Work graduates find permanent homes.

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Few of us like to think about finance. Money matters can be intimidating, depressing, and the source of conflict. As a result, many people and organizations try to avoid the whole issue. They can’t. We all evaluate options for big and small financial matters every day. If we do not think them through, we are much more likely to make poor choices, which will make us even more uncomfortable in the...Read more...