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We have been in a rather prolonged season of challenge, not only societally, but for many of us, personally as well. I know many of you have walked with me as I have shared some of my own hardships over the last several months. The purpose of sharing those, and the few more I’m... Read More →

This year’s Days of Awe were like none other during my life. This unusually special time was in line with this year being one of intensity, focus, drawing us to Him even more closely as we sever the ties of what separates us from Him. I, and so many others, have experienced... Read More →

What more can I say than has already been said? In law there is a phrase “res ipsa loquitur”, the thing speaks for itself. Such was her life. What a woman, what a person, what a visionary, what a blessing, what a legacy. No words are needed to describe her for her life by how she... Read More →

The following Shabbat encouragement is one I have sent before during this time of year. It has been so well received, and its message as relevant today as when first sent, that I am sharing it with you again as a reminder to some, and as this week’s encouragement for those new to... Read More →

In keeping with my new knowledge of the artistry of Chadwick Boseman, Sid and I watched “42” this week, based on the story of Jackie Robinson, the first black athlete to play Major League baseball. What a story. . . As more accurate portrayals of the lives of our black brothers... Read More →

Last week we were saddened by the untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman, the star of the recent Marvel adventure film “Black Panther”. I have to admit, I had not watched the movie until Sunday evening when it was shown on ABC, followed by a tribute to the late star. Such an... Read More →

Last week we thought about the effect Covid has had on spectator sports and the arts. We pondered how such developments may have occurred in ancient time only after our earliest ancestors may have first tamed their environment enough to survive. Similarly, the last six months... Read More →

This week I was reading about Broadway and the possible plans to start ticket sales in January for the 2021 season. Broadway being blacked out since March is so incomprehensible. So many impacted by this reality. Not to mention the countless musicians, singers, artists, museums,... Read More →

I must thank my Shabbat encouragement community for the many responses of love and support. Encouraging the encourager is an unanticipated blessing beyond my words. I recognize it deeply as HaShem’s “angels” in the flesh working through each of you, and even through my knowing... Read More →

As I jogged after services last Shabbat, I recognized that there is a pattern to these times I spend with HaShem. I always start out smiling, praising, singing, overwhelmingly loving my Abba, joyous in Him. This goes on for quite awhile. Then I tend to be very quiet in my head... Read More →

Update on my missing daughter is she took a bus to LA in April. Great to get an update although an earlier departure than would be substantiated by other information from her apartment super who said he saw her car move in late May. Time passes so quickly that it’s hard to be... Read More →

As most of you know, my 38 year old daughter has been missing for awhile. She suffers from an anxiety disorder so I am worried about her. We have done everything we can at this point, but daily I am working with the authorities to follow any clues. So many people have reached out... Read More →

This week’s Shabbat encouragement is quite different than my usual. At our virtual oneg a few weeks back, I asked what people have been doing during these COVID-19 days. During a break-out session, one of our congregants Lawrence Strauss, a recognized musician and artist,... Read More →

This is a time of upheaval for me, literally. After five months at our home in Florida, an extended stay due to COVID-19, we are journeying 1500 miles home in our RV. I’m sure a time of unexpected pleasures, and uncertainties, lie ahead. Perhaps that is the motivation for today’s... Read More →

Last week’s Shabbat encouragement introduced the multi-dimensional topic of suffering, sparked not only by the unusual challenges we have been facing over the past several months, but in particular, by the tragic death of George Floyd. This week’s reminder is another opportunity... Read More →

As each day’s headlines pass, new thoughts arise on the topic of suffering, a subject with many viewpoints. Mine is just one. . . Are we meant to suffer? Is suffering in this life what was really intended? How do we juxtapose personal happiness alongside societal pain? How do we... Read More →

The new normal will not be sending these encouragements to you on Friday instead of Thursday evening. Yet somehow with the experience of Shavuot last evening, same old just wasn’t right. As you know, Shavuot culminates the 7 week period after Passover to celebrate the giving of... Read More →

Watching movies on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) on occasional evenings has become part of our recreational time together while sheltering in place. With so many of our pre-COVID 19 schedules and activities disrupted, watching classic films has provided wonderfully uplifting... Read More →

Last week we focused on the importance of loving each other and concluded that nothing is more important than our relationships with each other. Truly a wonderful thought in the context of the message of prioritizing each other above considerations such as weather, convenience,... Read More →

As you know, Sid and I ventured to Florida in late January, never dreaming we would still be here in May! So many unexpected realities for all of us these days. As you also know, Sid and I live in Maine but come to Massachusetts every week for services to be with our Ruach... Read More →

As I’ve learned over the many years of writing these Shabbat encouragements, I go with the flow about what to share with you. Following that path, I now know that it is artificial to arbitrarily stop the Coronavirus topic. We are not to forget those suffering from this pandemic,... Read More →

Perhaps this will be the last Shabbat encouragement of this name, Coronavirus, not because we are past it, but rather, to help it not be the first thing we think about, at least when seeking an encouragement. With that in mind, I will end this series with an acrostic: C – Courage... Read More →

It finally happened. Sid pulled out a jigsaw puzzle from the stacks of them that came with this house. We bought this place last spring primarily as a rental property to supplement our income but have been grateful to be able to stay here this year longer than anticipated as... Read More →

I suppose I could name this week’s encouragement something other than Coronavirus 7. Yet it feels as if everything we do these days, all of our decisions, are made within a new framework, perhaps one within we are placed to bring these choices into clearer focus, part of a... Read More →

As we spend more time at home, I am grateful for the opportunity to catch a few more movies, a true luxury and distraction from thinking too much about what is going on outside the doors of our haven. These are my times taking a break from prayer, Zoom, encouraging others, from... Read More →

As the days have turned to weeks, and into months, the lessons we are learning as a people about surviving Covid-19 together just keep coming. I am a member of various text chains with different family groups and with some friends, touching base fairly regularly to encourage each... Read More →

As I am writing this several days before Thursday evening, it is possible by the time it is sent much will have changed. Yet I’ve learned when I feel the inspiration to share with you, it is best to just go with it. So here goes. . . Last week before Shabbat, the rabbis and lay... Read More →

Our last couple Shabbat encouragements have focused on some positive takeaways from such a worldwide challenge as the coronavirus. The virus brings home how the acts of each one of us matter, positively and negatively. It reveals the dangers of secrets and reminds us to be honest... Read More →

Last week we marveled at the positive take aways from even something as negative as the coronavirus. We were struck with how the actions of a few could literally touch the world. It is pay it forward in the worst sense. Somehow as the news gets darker, I am pulled even more... Read More →

The headlines for the past several weeks have discussed the coronavirus believed to have originated in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. As you know, from its remote and one-on-one beginnings, migrating unpredictably between unrelated species, it has traveled the world wreaking... Read More →