At the start of every school year we take our 6th graders aside for some special Tefilah learning that helps them get ready to participate in Middle School Tefilah. I returned to my office after the first of these special
Driving on Roswell Road
The other day I was driving on Roswell Road. In Atlanta. Sandy Springs, technically. It was about 6:15 pm. Suddenly. I realized. I knew the person. In the car. In front of me. Which made sense. Because we were
How might we?
How might we be a little kinder? A little more compassionate? A little more present? A little more accepting? A little more curious? A little more open-minded? A little more engaged? A little more receptive? A little more appreciative? A
Everyday holiness
There’s long been a distinction in Judaism between “Kodesh” (“Holy”) and “Chol” (“Profane/Mundane”). In fact, the Havdalah Service at the end of Shabbat includes a blessing that thanks God for distinguishing between these two different states- Kodesh and Chol. The
A Meditation for the Airport Traveler
may I arrive at my destination in wholeness and in peace may my fellow travelers, those I know and those I don’t, those who choose to travel and those who must, arrive at their destinations in wholeness and in peace
A Blessing for Grandparents Day
Dear God, Source of life, source of blessing, source of miracles. We thank you for granting us the ability to witness and experience miracles. The miracles of love and family, of children and grandchildren, of a chain of tradition that
Then and now
today I found myself praying in the chapel that I prayed in as a rabbinical student. Sitting among the rabbinical students and professors I found myself overcome with emotion i thought about their voices and the voices that filled this
A Sukkah of Peace
For the last couple of years we’ve had “themed” Sukkahs at The Davis Academy. This year’s theme is: Sukkat Shlomeicha (Sukkah of God’s Peace). Or more colloquially, “The Peace Sukkah.” I’m really excited about it. The inspiration for this theme
Remember (#BlogElul 13)
remember that thing that happened and how it made you feel and what was said and what was done and what was unsaid and what was undone and who was there and who was absent and who was there
Choose life
The Torah teaches, “Choose life…” Choose life. Choose blessing. Choose laughter. Choose openness to change. Choose fearlessness. Choose spaciousness. Choose loving-kindness. Choose walking. Choose dancing. Choose listening. Choose quieting. Choose responding. Choose awakening. Choose seeing. Choose breathing. Choose compassion.