Rabbi Linda's blog

As we turn to a new year on the Gregorian, standard calendar, we read the penultimate Torah portion in the book of Genesis. For the Jewish people, our new year of deep introspection and shifting of direction comes in the Autumn, at Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. But living in two civilizations, at a minimum, we are primed to accept the invitation to look both inward and forward as December turns to January So what does the Torah portion in this...Read more...

Following the Hebrew month of Tishrei, filled with busy, meaningful Jewish holy days and festivals, comes the month of
Cheshvan. While Cheshvan is typically a quiet month on the Jewish calendar, this year it corresponds to November, a full and challenging month on the American calendar. Election day, November 5, is almost here and tensions are mounting about what the outcome will mean for us and for our country. The air is charged....Read more...

On the High Holidays we attend to a deep truth that we spend most days fending off: We and everyone we know and love are mortal and vulnerable, and we can never know how much time we have left on this earthly journey. Our holy days provide a profound opportunity to face this fact with courage and heightened awareness. We are directed to do teshuvah, to repair what we can repair and to clarify our priorities so that we use our time wisely,...Read more...

The first seder of Passover falls on the evening of Monday April 22, under the light of the full moon and amidst the beauty of Spring. We recount our story of liberation with props from the seder plate and songs from the Haggadah, celebrating redemption, which along with creation and revelation form the three defining narratives of Judaism. Pesach holds the message that motivates our community to work toward freedom and justice while it lends...Read more...

Which Jewish texts, prayers or practices sustain you through the challenges of life? One verse that speaks to me at this time comes from Micah, one of the Nevi’im (Prophets), who lived in a time of great upheaval and sorrow. The words that I’m about to share are some of the most oft-quoted in prophetic literature. The verse was considered by some as summing up the essence of all the Mitzvot.

The Hebrew text can...Read more...