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  These have been days of joy, but unusual trial as well. This week held plans of not only travel to and from MA and ME per usual, but also a trip to visit family in Denver, not to mention Sid’s birthday and our anniversary. Lots of pieces needed to fall into place.  ... Read More →

  I have shared with you in the past my hesitation, anxiety, and feelings of inadequacy regarding a request to participate in a film series produced by Our Daily Bread highlighting faith stories of “Unshakable Moxie”. Last summer after much prayer and conversation I agreed... Read More →

  Most of you know I’m a glass more than half full person and Sid often sees the glass a little more empty. We are a great combination since with his engineering background he often grounds my unicorn flying on rainbows ideas. Together we do pretty good planning most of the... Read More →

  I recently saw a movie by that title, “One Life”, starring Anthony Hopkins. It is the story of Nicky Winton, a London financial executive, who created and orchestrated by train the rescue of almost 700 Jewish children from Czechoslovakia just prior to Nazi occupation. The... Read More →

  I’m writing this Shabbat encouragement on Mother’s Day as I look at the lake from my bedroom window at Pilgrim Pines. Sid and I are here this weekend for the (hopefully second annual) Ruach Shabbaton. Despite the forecast of rain the weather has been perfect, cool but... Read More →

  What a week. . . What timing for remembrance. . .   As earlier this week we paused to remember the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah, I couldn’t help but think about its perfect timing in these days of unrest centered on the very topic of anti-Semitism.  Our collective memory... Read More →

  Last week when we were discussing Moses we noodled about our feelings of inadequacy and even fear when seemingly called upon by our Abba to serve Him in ways outside of our comfort zones. Personally, I find myself in this situation quite often as I share the Good News with... Read More →

  This is such a holy season. Not that every day isn’t, but this Passover in particular I have felt the lessons we are to learn even more pointedly.   Last Shabbat I listened to the beautiful harmonies of the “Song of Moses” during services, immersed in the liturgy, and... Read More →

  As Passover approaches, how appropriate we focus on the Promised Land, given to Abraham and the destination of the journey’s end for the Israelites fleeing Egypt, this story told as part of our seders next week. This is not the time to embroil our thoughts on present day... Read More →

  Last week we noodled about certain times in our history when significant steps forward occurred in religious reawakening. Two of those times we explored were the late ‘60s/early ‘70s and the 1990s. We pondered further whether we may be living now even in such miraculous... Read More →

  Last week at Bible study, although we were studying the Gospel of John, a cross reference led us to the Isaiah quote describing Yeshua being led as a lamb to slaughter. It being the week leading up to Easter, the passage seemed quite appropriate.   As the words were... Read More →

  It’s not Shabbat but it is a special day for the billions who observe Yeshua’s resurrection on this day. Although this blessed event is not shared on this specific day by Messianic Jews, nevertheless we come together in our belief that His Resurrection did, in fact, occur,... Read More →

  Previously in these writings we have thought about a concept I call “both/and”. In context this expression has described situations in which our emotions, our conscience or analytical thoughts, or even our actions seem to not be congruent. The psychological term ... Read More →

  Last week we discussed the nuances of judgment. The thought we noodled was that we really are judging anytime we presume we know what another person can and can’t do or what they are thinking. Even if not in the sense of rendering our opinion on their character or actions,... Read More →

  I have usually considered myself a fairly non judgmental person. At least that is what I try to be. Nevertheless, I learned this week some truths about myself which have given me reason to work harder on this attribute.   My IPhone needed repair so being in Florida... Read More →

  Some of you are aware of “The Chosen”, a multi-season depiction of the life of Yeshua and His disciples. I have shared with you previously my views of its importance of bringing the Gospels literally to hundreds of millions of people, whether we agree with every aspect of... Read More →

  This year at Ruach we’ve been exploring the topic of finding our voice. The emphasis has been on our voice as a community. Our faith community shapes and reflects our individual voices which are working to exemplify our growing-closer-to-Him spiritual selves.   Each... Read More →

  What a whirlwind the last couple weeks have been! Although Sid and I have been wintering in Florida, my daily routines stay the same. I still balance my work schedule with my volunteer responsibilities, while sprinkling in some additional group meetings and recreational... Read More →

  As most of you know, this past Sunday was the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, I was traveling that evening so I did not see the commercials (admittedly, my favorite part). I did, however, check them out earlier this week and was pleased to see at least several that were not... Read More →

  Today while acting in a loving way to another, I noticed my heartbeat. I listened to its sound and thought how intense my emotion, and yet, how steady and slow my heart was beating. It wasn’t beating excessively fast as it does at other times, like when exercising. Yet,... Read More →

  A very disturbing report came out from UN Watch this week. In particular, Hillel Neuer’s report of UN workers taking part in the Hamas attack on October 7 in Israel was almost beyond belief. Unfortunately, it appears to be true, the report not only describing the recent... Read More →

  Is it really possible to share the gleam three weeks in a row? You betcha!! 😊   The original reference was to the Scriptural description of the “men” at Yeshua’s tomb as “gleaming”. Last week I shared some personal gleaming, and some of you shared yours too with me.... Read More →

  Last week we pondered the “gleaming” of the angels at the tomb of our risen Messiah. We sometimes wonder if the gleam today is as it was back then, especially during the days of Yeshua. This morning HaShem made the answer clear. . .   Sid and I safely arrived early... Read More →

  This week’s Daily Dvar in Luke describes the two men who “gleamed like lightning” at the empty tomb from which Yeshua had risen. The “gleaming” jumped out at me as I pictured these two angels, reminding me that angels were not just “back then”. Angels are real and they... Read More →

  This past Sunday morning Sid and I had the wonderful experience to be guest DJs on the Chagigah Radio show. This program is filled with Jewish music of all genres, Jewish humor, and Rabbinical reflections, the audience being 80% Jewish, 20% Christian with national access... Read More →

  I have often made the statement we are living in amazing times. It’s hard to think of that positively sometimes, especially in light of recent events, in particular. The Israeli war has become a catalyst to arouse worldwide anti-Semitism to a level in my opinion never seen... Read More →

  At oneg after services this past Shabbat, not only did I get to shmooze with wonderful visitors and our community, but I also had a special time to unpack Jewish history long into the afternoon with several of our congregants, one of whom was quite knowledgeable on this... Read More →

  Before I was a believer in Yeshua I had strong faith in God. I prayed to Him and I felt He answered prayer. He was God on high with a busy agenda with so many people to listen to, so I understood if prayers went unanswered. I still had strong faith for I believed in Him,... Read More →

  How often as Messianic Jews do we feel uncomfortable in our own skin? Out of place? Not welcomed by our Jewish family and relatives, our Jewish community, and yet, not Christian either. Among our non-Jewish acquaintances and other religious communities, there are those who... Read More →

  Today started like any other day, my thanking HaShem, asking Sid how he slept last night, checking my messages. That’s when life spun out of control.   The night before I had been texting with my daughter-in-law finalizing plans for an upcoming visit but I had fallen... Read More →