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Sid and I recently returned from a five day stay in our RV while we airbnbed our house. We had worked so hard to ready our home and then been living from suitcases while RVing place to place that we were exceptionally happy to finally be home. My sister had invited us to join her... Read More →

We recently were offered a last minute opportunity to visit our children and grandbaby to give them a hand as they prepare for a trip abroad. Sid and I had just decided to chill out a bit at our home in Maine since life had been a bit hectic recently. However, when given the... Read More →

On Father’s Day the fam and I saw the movie “Wonder Woman”. This writing is an ending spoiler so if you haven’t seen the movie yet, you may want to read this encouragement at another time. This depiction of Wonder Woman was new to me. Although I knew the... Read More →

This seems to be a season of loved ones who are struggling with illnesses. They range from the seriousness of my neighbor just diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma to bothersome stomach viruses. In each case, however, it has been interesting to see how the person’s perspective... Read More →

I recently attended Hashivenu, a conference for leaders in our movement, commonly referred to as our “think tank”. At the event we were blessed to participate in a memorial service for Ellen Goldsmith, one of our most esteemed leaders, who sadly died of cancer in... Read More →

Over the past several years my brother and sister have had challenges in their relationship. They used to work together in my brother’s business. When they decided to go their separate ways in business, so, too did their personal relationship. As their sister and loving... Read More →

We have recently reflected on the need to let situations, and sometimes people, go. Clearly if we are in an unhealthy relationship being bombarded with loshan hora (gossip), we are called upon to stand up against such behavior rather than utilize the listening skills I have been... Read More →

Last week we reflected on how little things can drag us down if we let them and that often we just need to let it go. That can be hard enough when it comes to a situation, but even more challenging when it comes to relationships. I had a friend for several years who let’s... Read More →

I love our home in Maine. One of my favorite things is to be snug in bed on a cold, rainy day, like today, warmed by the fireplace set between two windows, one facing the sea, the other the river. Who wouldn’t feel close to HaShem and inspired to write??!! From my home... Read More →

Last Sunday Sid and I spent Easter with my son, his wife, and our adorable grandbaby. My son’s wife is Christian so they observe both Jewish and Christian traditions. Of course Sid and I were immersed in Passover seders and observances. Yet the opportunity arose to spend... Read More →

When I look at states like Arizona, deserts, I have a hard time seeing life in the vegetation. I know it’s there and beautiful in its different way. But I’m just a Midwest girl now living in New England and used to lots of green trees and bushes, not to mention... Read More →

Recently I returned from Girly Weekend. This is a few days each year that my sister and her friends have included me in a getaway, so far to Florida. Each time I’ve grown closer to the four other travelers besides my sister, as we learn to accommodate our individualities.... Read More →

Last weekend, our own Cheryl (Chaya) Holbert, founder of Nomad Bakery, challah baker extraordinaire, shared with me videos of her most recent challah creation. These are not just delicious festive breads for Shabbat and holidays. They have become works of art, complete with... Read More →

Last week at Ruach we experienced an event beyond description. Mike Evans and his associate Derek brought three days of healing prayer training, an event open to the wider community, as well as led three evenings of healing services. Truly miraculous healings occurred which... Read More →

As many of you know, Sid and I spend a lot of time driving back and forth between our home in Maine and our apartment in Billerica. (Yes, we’re a bit crazy!) We do this in large part due to our love of our Ruach community and our prioritization of Shabbat worship at Ruach.... Read More →

I have been practicing ERISA law for 42 years. It’s hard to believe, actually. It’s a very challenging area of practice that regulates pension and 401(k) plans and is jointly adminstered by the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Labor. Needless to say,... Read More →

Vikings Disease – “an ancient affliction of unknown origin introduced by the Vikings.”. Who would have thought a nice Jewish girl with all Jewish grandparents entering America through Ellis Island could have a condition that medically is traced back to coming... Read More →

After a couple months of deeply feeling the loss of our dear pug Dodi, we have adopted a rescue puppy from Arkansas, an adorable 3 pound, 3 month old toy fox terrier/chihuahua mix. I hadn’t realized how much my heart was still hurting from the loss of Dodi until I... Read More →

Maybe it’s me, but it seems there are a lot of unusual challenges afoot. So many friends seem to be experiencing an inordinate number of difficulties, whether emotional, relational, physical. Thankfully the end results are working out. But it’s taking work. We love... Read More →

Sid and I were so blessed to celebrate Sid’s cousin’s bar mitzvah in Denver last Shabbat, including Sid having the honor of doing the first aliyah at the Chasidic Orthodox service. A special joy for me was that my son Joel who lives in Denver wanted to attend the... Read More →

I have gone through different phases of expression over the years that focussed on Him through creative personal endeavors. There was a time I wrote songs in Yiddish with Messianic Jewish themes that were shared on Friday nights at Ruach. I’ve gone through spurts of... Read More →

Unlike my usual Shabbat encouragements, this one I am merely passing on – the continuation of a story I shared with you several weeks ago about Rob Berkowitz’s journey into a very special past and the revelations it has brought. . . In case some of you didn’t see the... Read More →

It’s the morning after I had to say good-bye to Dodi, our 13 year old pug who was diagnosed with liver cancer last February. Last week I mentioned her as being kept alive by love. Yesterday I had to prove the depth of that love. She really was eating great and seemed to be... Read More →

When we think of love, we most often consider it as a strong emotion, relational, volitional, a mystery. All of that is true, and yet it is so much more. Recently Sid and I watched a great movie “Florence Foster Jenkins” starring Merryl Streep (how can it be bad?!) as... Read More →

In a recent Shabbat encouragement about Bob Dylan, I brought to your attention our own Rob Berkowitz’s accomplishment as winner of a piano competition this summer in San Diego, as a result of which he will be playing a Felix Mendelssohn piece with the California Chamber... Read More →

This time of year brings with it many contradictions. Outside the walls of our cozy homes the blustery wind blows the snow’s beautiful flakes. The giggles of children making snow angels or the swishing of cross country skies delight, while some slip and fall on the icy... Read More →

I recently attended a talk on the spiritual journey of Bob Dylan given by a well respected Jewish expert on the life of this famous singer/songwriter. The goal of the talk was to demonstrate that Dylan is Jewish despite his seemingly public non commitment to being a member of the... Read More →

Working in downtown Boston definitely has its moments. On a recent lunch break as I walked in the Commons, I was confronted by a very vocal street pastor vociferously preaching the perils of not believing in Jesus and bemoaning our sinful ways. I found it interesting that though... Read More →

Last week we marveled over the many allusions to Yeshua in Leonard Cohen’s song lyrics, so many more than those I referenced from his last album (check out “Suzanne”). Since his passing I have been amazed at the way Jewish mainstream spokesmen have described... Read More →

Unlike Bob Dylan who at some time in his life was a believer in Yeshua, I am not aware that Leonard Cohen at any time believed in Jesus. And I in no way want to suggest that he did. In fact, he was a Buddhist monk for a number of years, and perhaps retained those beliefs... Read More →