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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 →

Last week I was blessed to be able to attend the Borough Park Symposium in NYC. This conference is an academic gathering of Jews, including Messianic Jews who organize this event, to explore issues related to Yeshua, Messianic Judaism, Israel, and related subjects. This year’s... Read More →

Last year when Sid and I came to Florida, we arrived the day after my aunt died. Although I was emotionally crushed, it was a blessing to be here at that time to help take care of my then 91 year old uncle and my cousin as she tried to understand the probate process. I balanced... Read More →

This week, my cousin shared with me her feelings of terror during her radiation treatment. She suffers from extreme claustrophobia, so much so that she cannot even ride on elevators. So when the radiation treatment room door closes automatically, she has panic attacks. The... Read More →

We’re off to Florida! So many plans including creating a havurah while we’re there with local Florida family and loved ones from Ruach who will be visiting. Although I will miss my Ruach community while away, the thought of some of them being in the area to worship together as I... Read More →

To those of you who have been on my list for awhile, you may recognize this message from three years ago. I am resending it as a reminder and to those who have joined since then, it will be just slightly anachronistic. I felt it important to send this on the heels of last week’s... Read More →

I recently ran across a heartwarming story which, when I read it, seemed to be clear and unambiguous in the truth of its message. Here it is: http://www.inspirationpeak.com/cgi-bin/stories.cgi?record=138 In today’s world of troublesome headlines and distressing news, I found this... Read More →

Last week we thought about how our own filters define our perceptions, how often our own fears hold us back from new thoughts and opportunities. We get a certain impression about a situation, how a negative result may happen, and lose our confidence about trying to make a better... Read More →

Although I love my times with HaShem on the beach, a close second is jogging on a sunny winter day without wind or messy precipitation. Such was today’s gift as I headed out to have some quiet time after all the holiday celebrations. I had just texted with some of my spiritual... Read More →

Last week we riffed on the phrase “Tis the season” and were reminded of its many meanings and applications to our lives. We were encouraged to renew our spiritual focus and to love each other as He loves us. Shortly after I wrote that Shabbat encouragement I was involved in... Read More →

At this time of year when surrounded by festive lights and reminders of Christmas, we often hear the expression, “’Tis the season!” Although used in the 19th century previous to the well known Christmas carol “Deck the Halls”, that song popularized the expression which has come... Read More →

As most of you know, Sid and I live in Maine so we travel 2 ½ hours most every weekend to be part of our Ruach community. We have been doing this now for almost 10 years. My friends and neighbors here in Maine cannot imagine why we go to such great lengths literally since we are... Read More →

Today the Nor’Easter is hitting us hard. From my window as I watch the strong north wind blowing the snow literally horizontally with its force, in the same view, I see the cozy fire in our bedroom fireplace, its hearth decorated with my Chanukah stocking woven with a pattern of... Read More →

No, I don’t even like beer. But the expression is apt to remind us to be grateful for our lives. Wednesday is a long awaited day with no commitments. And the agenda is a lot of housework, cleaning and laundry, sorting and paying bills. It’s not important how the... Read More →