“Home is where the heart is.” —Pliny the Elder “If you go anywhere, even paradise, you will miss your home.” —Malala Yousafzai My spouse and I recently began our twenty-third year of living in Metro Atlanta. As we’re now empty nesters and beginning to think about where we might move when he retires, I’ve been feeling a tug toward New York. I’m also feeling guilty for thinking about leaving, because this is … Read more
The local chapter of National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is preparing welcome baskets for Afghan families about to arrive in Metro Atlanta. Because this organization has a long history and strong commitment to the resettlement of immigrants, as well as a true desire for a deeper understanding of and sensitivity to their needs, NCJW engaged with the Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta (ISB) to provide volunteers with background information about Afghanistan and … Read more
We rescued Luna in December 2013, about 8 weeks after our first dog died. Jenna, a Chocolate Lab we rescued in 2003, had slowed down in the late summer. She was 13 years old, and her decline was swift. When it was time to let her go, we knew it was time. We agreed to wait a while—at least 6 months—to adopt another dog. I began searching rescue and shelter websites almost … Read more
When I first joined Tiferet’s Spiritual Poetry Writing class in July 2020, I never expected to find a well-spring of creativity and a source of sustenance in an online community of writers, never imagined I would spend an entire year of Thursday afternoons on Zoom, connecting so deeply with strangers. The class is hosted and facilitated by Donna Baier Stein, an award-winning novelist, short story writer, and poet, founder of Tiferet Journal … Read more
Just over 2 years ago, I posted about the process of healing the body and spirit following a prolonged period of stress. It was the month before Rosh Hashanah, and I’d been reflecting on the meaning of teshuvah as restoring oneself. I’m not surprised to find myself thinking and writing about these same themes as we begin the new Jewish year in the midst of a second year of the pandemic. One … Read more
Earlier this week, when I was looking around the garage to see if there was anything more I could recycle or remove, I paused to ponder the shopping bag of plastic Target bags. After sixteen months of curbside pickup—despite having used many as garbage bags—I’ve accumulated quite a stash. I tossed them into the trunk of the car and tried to return them to Target, and was disappointed to learn they are … Read more
As I prepare to co-host a study session on Zoom at the virtual Tikkun Leyl Shavuot next week, I remember back to when getting ready for a Zoom festival was not part of the routine. Here’s a taste from my post on the Rabbis Without Borders blog from last Sukkot, October 1, 2020: The 3 ½ weeks leading up to Rosh Hashanah are lost in a haze of last-minute purchases: a new … Read more
In case you missed my post on the Rabbis Without Borders blog last week–perhaps you were enjoying Thanksgiving with your family–I’m sharing the link here. It’s always a good time to feel grateful: Two months ago, I purchased a Dyson vacuum for my daughter for her 25th birthday. She was thrilled and posted about what great parents we were on Facebook, writing: “It’s a sign of adulting when you’re this excited about … Read more
This week marks three months since the beginning of the school year at Congregation Bet Haverim Community School. When I reflect on everything I’ve learned and experienced serving as a rabbi at CBHCS since August, I have trouble believing it’s been only three months. My brain knows exactly how many days have passed—just a few too many to claim a 90-day money-back guarantee—and my heart is so filled with memories, it seems … Read more
My post on the Rabbis Without Borders blog this month is a personal narrative, in which I recount my attempt to find wholeness in the months leading up to the High Holy Days: A few months ago I realized I hadn’t been myself for a long time. I’d been under a lot of stress for the better part of two years. Fueled by adrenaline and plenty of coffee, I could make it … Read more