As a child, Fridays had a special status. Friday was “donut day.” My dad would wake me and my brothers up extra early so we could go to Winchell’s. I can still taste the Cinnamon Crunch donut and still smell my dad’s black coffee. I can feel the warmth of the splash of black coffee […]
Children
A Blessing Upon a Child’s First Siddur
Many Jewish educational settings have special celebrations during which children receive their first siddur. I wrote this prayer with the intent that it be offered by community rabbis but it could easily be offered by teachers, parents, or anyone else that wishes to offer a blessing for such an occasion. A Siddur is a […]
The Theological Quandry of the Cockroach
I recently found myself in a Tefilah discussion with 1st graders. We were exploring the idea that God created everything. From the smallest grain of sand to the tallest mountain, from the dolphins that swim within site of the shore to… the mighty a resilient cockroach. What do you do when you see a cockroach, […]