Mourn
Mourning Our Loss and Making Space for Our Blessings
On Feb. 28, 2012, 5 Adar, my entire world changed. My first child was born. My center of gravity moved ...
Mourning & Action
Our hearts are heavy.This past Thursday evening marked the onset of Tu B’Av, the traditional Jewish holiday celebrating love. Yet ...
When Leaders Need Chaplains
An important aspect of spiritual leadership is ministering to people in times of stress and pain as chaplains do. Below ...
The Wisdom of Love and Living
I have no idea how many b’nai mitzvah, baby namings, brises, et al I have officiated at. Nor how many ...
Death is the end? Really?!
My mother’s birthday coincided with Shavuot this year. She would have been 76 years old, had she not died in ...
The Wilderness of Sinai
Bamidbar is my daughter Elena’s bat mitzvah portion. As she was approaching bat mitzvah, fifteen years ago, my father was ...
Myth or Fact: Death and Mourning Quiz
Test your knowledge of Jewish mourning and bereavement practices.
Dying to Talk
On a single day last week, we were stunned by news of the Charlie Helbo attack in Paris and a bomb ...
Sitting Shiva: A Poem from Lesléa Newman
We are honored to share a poem from I Carry My Mother by Lesléa Newman.Lesléa Newman, known for her children’s book Heather Has Two ...
A Smile from Beyond
I ended 2014 by making the trip from California to New Jersey to visit my father’s grave. I stood on ...
Does the Valley of the Shadow Have a Statute of Limitations?
Birth and death are expected aspects of a congregational community’s life. The past few days, however, have weighed heavily on ...
How the Tragedy of an Infant’s Death Can Bring About Mitzvot
Today will be a difficult day for my family. And for me. We should be celebrating the first birthday of ...