Cantor, Teacher, Writer
I think we have a silence problem. People seem to be afraid of total quiet. You notice it everywhere. You can't sit in a doctor's office without seeing and hearing the TV set mounted in the corner, tuned to some random daytime talk show. Of course no one is actually watching the TV; everyone is ...
Sure, the Bible is pretty classic. It always sits on the top of the world's bestselling titles. People quote from it all the time. Some people have actually read it cover to cover. Is it wrong to say that I think the Bible is in desperate need of a reboot? They've pretty much taken those ...
One of my favorite things about going for a long run outside has nothing to do with exercise, fresh air, or fitness. As people run by me in the other direction, or I pass them along the road, I love to hear the very brief moment of conversation as they pass within earshot. I have ...
Once in a while, current events line up perfectly with the week’s Torah portion. So even though sometimes it feels like we’re approaching the end of civilized life, we actually find some parallels in the story of creation, which we read this week in Parshat Breisheet, comprised of the very first chapters of the Torah. ...
A number of years ago, the Israeli government needed to add a special fighter plane to its arsenal. The plane would cost $500 million, and the government didn't know where they were going to find the money. One professional fundraiser said, "No problem--we'll find 500 of the wealthiest Jews around the world and simply ask ...
I had a bit of an AHA! moment the other week. Often that just means I remembered where I put my keys. This time it was a little more profound. I had the privilege recently to see the Yiddish production of Fiddler on the Roof that is playing at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in NY. ...
Perfection is overrated. I've probably prepared well over 1,000 kids for their b'nei mitzvah, and by far, the number one fear any of them have expressed is that when they're standing on the bimah, chanting their haftorah or a part of the service, they'll make a mistake. Well-meaning parents and other adults feed into this ...
