This week I had two separate series of experiences that reaffirmed two aspects of our shared humanity that I think are of great value. The first affirmation was an affirmation of the creativity capacity within each person. As human being we want, we yearn, we need to and can’t avoid engaging with our creativity. […]
A Visionary Moment
Earlier today a press release was issued signaling a historic shift in the landscape of Jewish Day School Education in North America. Approximately 100,000 children attend Jewish day schools in North America. Previously, the landscape of the Jewish day school included 5 independent organizations. These 5 organizations often worked in harmony with one another because, […]
talking to my 4 year old daughter about death
Last night I had one of those life defining experiences that no parent looks forward to: talking to my 4 year old about death. A tragedy has struck our community. A young father lost his battle with cancer. He has a child in my daughter’s preschool class. It’s a Jewish preschool and all of the […]
Life Lessons- NOLA
I’ve just come back from two very special days in New Orleans. I was invited to NOLA by a dear colleague that I’ve known for many years and who is head of the Jewish Community Day School of New Orleans. On Sunday night I had the honor of being the musical guest at the school’s […]
Living Waters
Sometimes Torah is referred to as Mayim Chayim or “living waters.” That’s because Torah nourishes and sustains. That’s because Torah is ever flowing. That’s because it’s possible to get swept up in a current of learning and living, of receiving life from and giving life to Torah.
Reading Emerson
How nice to have a few quiet moments on Shabbat afternoon and stumble upon an old volume of Emerson’s collected essays. One entitled, “The Poet,” called to me and in reading it I found this lovely sentiment: We know that the secret of the world is profound, but who or what shall be our interpreter, […]