Wow, we are almost halfway through Elul. Time is moving swiftly, and Rosh HaShanah will be here before we know it. School is starting again this week. What do we need to remember? I remember bringing each of my three children to school, as a tiny kindergartner. I remember hanging out by the school fence, … Continue reading #BlogElul 13: Remember
#BlogElul 12: Count
This morning I had a humbling experience of the power of community, and the importance of making each person count. It's a long weekend here in Manitoba, and indeed in most of North America. It's been an amazing summer, warm, sunny, just enough rain to keep things green, and NO MOSQUITOES. That's probably a first … Continue reading #BlogElul 12: Count
#BlogElul 11: Trust
Trust is a fascinating concept - hard to get, easy to lose. As babies, we start off trusting everyone - what choice do you have, when you are completely helpless and can't walk or talk? You are entirely in the hands of the adults around you, which is why babies are so incredibly cute, to … Continue reading #BlogElul 11: Trust
#BlogElul 10: Forgive
Wow, Rabbi Sommer, that's a hefty theme to put on a Friday, when I'm busy getting ready for Shabbat! Forgiveness is an interesting topic, because it is presented as a sign of ultimate altruism - this person must be a super nice and evolved person, because she forgave the person who did this dreadful thing … Continue reading #BlogElul 10: Forgive
#BlogElul 9: See
Yesterday I talked about the power of hearing within our tradition, but the High Holy Day liturgy is also full of powerful images, invoking our power of sight. The most famous image, of course, is that of G-d as King, seated upon the throne of judgement, deciding what will happen with us in the coming … Continue reading #BlogElul 9: See
#BlogElul 8: Hear
Today I had the privilege of shadowing our cantor as she conducted a funeral, and I learned something about hearing. Our congregation currently does not have a rabbi, so some of the lay people, such as myself, are pitching in to help lessen our cantor's load. She is a huge asset to our community, and … Continue reading #BlogElul 8: Hear
#BlogElul 7: Understand
As a scientist, I have often thought that my job was to try and understand the world. I've now come to the conclusion that my understanding of "understand" was flawed. Understanding is a funny thing. When we use it with regards to the words of another, we mean that we have comprehended their meaning - … Continue reading #BlogElul 7: Understand
#BlogElul 6: Want
This evening I was on an amazing call with my coach, Karen Fagan, and a group of other women. Among other things, we discussed the importance of deciding what you want. It seems pretty obvious, doesn't it? And yet, a remarkable number of people don't know what they want. They might be very clear on … Continue reading #BlogElul 6: Want
#BlogElul 5: Accept
Acceptance is an interesting concept. It looks like it might mean giving up, not striving any more, just accepting what is. But that's not necessarily true. For example, an empowered person accepts 100% responsibility for everything that happens in his or her life, good and bad. That doesn't mean that the person shoulders blame for … Continue reading #BlogElul 5: Accept
#BlogElul 4: Choose
Coming out of Shabbat is a good time to reflect on our power to choose. This post will be brief, as it is late and I choose to honour my health with adequate sleep. In today's Torah reading, I told the congregation about various transgressions that were punishable by death - idolatry, refusing to accept … Continue reading #BlogElul 4: Choose