Like so many people, we live with unresolved polarities. Opposite perceptions of the world, each appropriate to a specific situation, jostle our sense of security, identity, and self. For Jews, that sense of living with contradictions extends back to our earliest beginnings. A small people, we encompassed the universe with our poetry and our prayers. A weak people, we articulated notions of good and evil which have challenged and restrained the most powerful nations of the world. Read more...

In thinking about what could I possibly share with you at this season, how I might help frame the issue of being alive, I thought naturally of Milk Bones. Milk Bones, for those of you who do not live with spoiled dogs, are the boxes of little dog bon bons that we purchase to lavish upon our pets. But I want to tell you not about new milk bones per se; I want tell you a story about very old milk bones. It's really a story about freedom. Read more...

There is an ancient talmudic tradition that affirms that the world was created on Rosh Hodesh Tishrei, a day also known as Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year. Our Mahzor also reminds us that the world was created on this day. So it’s particularly appropriate for Jews to stop and think about how we are celebrating this most ancient Earth Day, how we are honoring the birthday of our home, the planet earth. Read more...