Search! That's an interesting word that Rabbi Sommer chose to start today with. What am I searching for? Right now I am desperately searching for someone to lead Shacharit (the morning service) the second day of Rosh Hashanah. That's what's really weighing on me right now. Of course, it is all Mr. Berger's fault. Our … Continue reading #BlogElul 6: Search
Tag: Judaism
#BlogElul 5: Know, 5774 edition
So, here's another case of the same theme on the same day. I think the same thing happened yesterday but I was too tired to notice. That's the problem with writing blog posts after Shabbat. In last year's blog post, I talked about the intuitive knowledge that we have without any kind of obvious evidence, … Continue reading #BlogElul 5: Know, 5774 edition
#BlogElul 4: Accept
Wow, Rabbi Sommer doesn't mess around. Sure, why not bring out the big guns right away? A few days to warm us up and bang, here we go. So why is the theme "accept" such a big deal here? As I mentioned in my pre-Elul blog post, this has been a tragic year in Rabbi … Continue reading #BlogElul 4: Accept
#BlogElul 3: Bless, 5774 Edition
The Jewish calendar can be a funny thing. I chose to label this post with a little extra - the year, 5774 since the creation of the world. (I know, I know). The reason for that is that last year's #BlogElul 3 was also Bless. I was a little surprised at first, until I realised … Continue reading #BlogElul 3: Bless, 5774 Edition
#BlogElul 2: Act
Ooooh, tricky, Rabbi Sommer! First Do, then Act? Aren't they the same thing? Clearly she doesn't think so. Obviously something I need to think about, too. So how is acting different from doing? That's got to be pretty subtle. So of course I turned to the wise and all-knowing Rabbi Google to help me figure … Continue reading #BlogElul 2: Act
#BlogElul 1: Do
Wow, Rabbi Sommer has started us off with a bang! Elul is definitely full of doing, especially for me this year. The preparations for the Downstairs Alternative Services are in full swing! I spent a good two hours last night talking with my co-conspirators about the order of the service and who is doing what. … Continue reading #BlogElul 1: Do
Preparing for #BlogElul!
I am so excited. One of the absolute highlights of my blogging year is coming up. It's almost time for #BlogElul! Every year, my friend Rabbi Phyllis Sommer sets up a schedule for blogging, tweeting and Instagramming (is that a verb?) about the Jewish month of Elul. Elul is the final month of the Jewish … Continue reading Preparing for #BlogElul!
The Alternative Minyan Lives!
Just over a year ago, I published in this space a guest blog post by Carol Rose, about the Rose Family Alternative High Holiday Minyan and its illustrious 35 years of operation. My family and I have been honoured to be participants in this minyan for over a decade. This year, however, is different. Due … Continue reading The Alternative Minyan Lives!
Talking About Identity
Last June, my amazing friends Kaila Prins and Ito Aghayere interviewed me on their podcast, Finding Our Hunger. This was in the early days of the podcast, which has gone on to include luminaries such as Jimmy Moore, Liz Wolfe, Stefani Ruper, Dietitian Cassie, Abel James and others. Kaila and Ito have been guests hosts … Continue reading Talking About Identity
Six Weeks Until I Break the Streak
I've got a great streak going on 750words.com. As I've boasted previously, I'm really doing well there right now. I've written at least 750 words every day for the past 124 days. I'm not sure what changed, but somehow it has built itself into the fabric of my days. Even when I was so desperately … Continue reading Six Weeks Until I Break the Streak