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 ...
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. ...
The Four Questions. Do any other three words strike as much fear into the hearts of little Jewish kids around the world as those? Generations of Jews remember having to stand up in front of everyone present (and especially nasty old Aunt Ida who never had a good thing to say) and sing these questions ...
Long ago, I think some corporate executives within the Organization of Jewish Religion decided that they had a ratings problem. Christian merch was flying off the shelves and their branding was expanding around the globe. The Jews felt they had something special--after all, it was their legacy product that set the stage for everything that ...
Everyone loves watching the outtakes from a movie--sometimes presented during the credits or as part of the bonus features of the DVD. (Does anyone watch DVDs anymore??) Unfortunately, all of my scenes are live presentations with no chance to redo them. I've had more than a few bloopers in my many years as a cantor. ...
During this winter holiday period, it seems to me that we Jews are not the only ones at risk of assimilation and losing our distinct rituals. Our non-Jewish friends are experiencing something like this as well. It seems that Christians have almost completely adopted a uniquely Jewish tradition, which threatens their own observance of Christmas. ...
