I write this article with the words of Hatikvah (our Israeli national anthem) upon my lips… a mantra of hope and a prayer for peace.
Golda Meir once said: “If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel’”. Sadly, this statement continues to feel true for many of us.
It is impossible for most of us to read the news about Israel dispassionately. When we think of Israel, we may think of it as our spiritual homeland… but also our refuge from rising antisemitism that could rear its ugly head at any time, as history has repeatedly taught us. For example, Jews in France that have seen an alarming rise in violent and deadly antisemitic attacks, are escaping to Israel in droves.
For many of us, when we think of Israel, we can’t help but see the images of concentration camp survivors, still in their uniforms, who immediately boarded boats to the not yet formed Israel as soon as they were liberated. We may recall the images of Jews being rescued from countries where they were targeted for their religion, like the Jews of Ethiopia. Or we may remember the boatloads of Jews seeking to escape Nazi Germany that were turned away from America, Canada and elsewhere with the words “None are too many”. Or perhaps we think back to Israel’s initial declaration of independence with the hope that all Palestinians (those living in British Palestine, Jewish and Arab) would want to join together to create a democracy in an area of the world where that did not exist… only to be met with a declaration of war by all of its neighbors. And so it is, that Golda Meir’s words continue to resonate for so many of us. These images and memories, along with the terrifying rise of global antisemitism, leave most of us feeling very protective of our homeland- the one place we know would welcome us home no matter what.
We therefore watch with terror the Hamas attacks on Israel… thousands of deadly rockets being fired upon its citizens- Arabs and Jews… something that none of us in America would tolerate if it were to happen here. We also may be watching with horror the strong and one-sided criticism if Israel. We would expect America to try to defend itself from such acts of war. And yet… once again, we encounter the double-standard that keeps applying to Israel… and most of us can’t help but see, in the current critiques of Israel, a form of antisemitism.
We therefore hold our breath in prayer, with this broader awareness, along with an understanding that too often antisemitism masquerades as anti-Zionism, and the knowledge that too many Arab countries and Palestinian organizations continue to have the goal of destroying Israel and killing all Jews. And many of us may feel unsafe or betrayed when we read some of the current articles or social media posts that criticize Israel. It is hard to find accurate and balanced reflections on the current situation.
In light of this, I wanted to share this phenomenal article, entitled “The Bad Optics of Fighting for your Life” by Bari Weiss, which can be found here: https://bariweiss.substack.com/p/the-bad-optics-of-fighting-for-your. Another great resource, if you are less familiar with the historical context of the current situation is Noa Tishby’s book, “Israel, A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth”. It is important that, like with any other prejudice, we feel empowered to speak up and correct misinformation, in order to ensure a more balanced and nuanced understanding of the complexity of the Middle East crisis.
Let us pray for a time of peace and healing… a true peace… one where all parties feel safe. And let us continue to speak up and work toward the day when our hopes can be actualized.
Originally from Montreal, Canada, I studied in Jerusalem at several Orthodox yeshivas, prior to beginning my studies as a Reform rabbi at Hebrew Union College. I am a second generation Holocaust survivor, and early on, wanted to do whatever I could to build a world where hatred and prejudice would never again have the upper hand.
For me, studying Judaism from traditional perspectives was crucial because “it was important to understand what we are reforming”. I believe in making educated choices from the rich set of resources provided by Jewish tradition, in order to ensure that every ritual and prayer is meaningful. I was a founding board member of the Society of Classical Reform Judaism (now Roots of Reform), due to my unwavering commitment to advocacy for interfaith families and the creation of inclusive Jewish communities that are unconditionally welcoming of all spiritual seekers, regardless of their religious background, relationship status, identity or Hebrew speaking ability.
In addition to nearly two decades working in synagogues, teaching, counseling and participating in life cycle events, I am also a social worker, psychotherapist, mediator and trained as an interfaith chaplain. I worked with the American Red Cross after 9/11, providing counseling and support at the family assistance center, Ground Zero and the morgue. My doctoral research was focused on burnout and compassion fatigue, as part of my years of work in hospice and palliative care. My life experiences have taught me hope and how to cultivate resilience and wisdom.
This blog reflects my attempts to distill rabbinic wisdom into insights that can speak to all people. I have dedicated my life to healing and spiritual alchemy. I first began the writings that formed the basis of this blog as part of my role as Vice President of Mission for KentuckyOne Health, an interfaith hospital system that brought together Catholic, secular and Jewish hospital systems, in order to bring wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved. I began my weekly reflections on the Torah portion, in order to share some of Jewish Hospital's heritage and values with staff that may not have known much about Judaism. These reflections were then shared by staff with others who asked to be placed on my blind copy list, as well as by the system mission leader of Catholic Health Initiatives to his own reader list, along with his own reflections.
I have been profoundly humbled by the reactions to these writings, and as more people have asked to have access to them, I eventually worked to overcome my discomfort with the internet in order to publish them online. I realized that Jews and non-Jews were drawn to my inclusive interpretations of the biblical text, and my reflections on how to apply these in our every day. I believe that, much like the Sufi teaching that describes all the religions of the world like different prayer beads, with the same string of truth that runs through each of them, so too can these ancient spiritual and mystical teachings can come to life, when we reflect on the echoes of other world traditions and by contemporary psychological theory.
As my professional journey has continued to evolve, and I have found myself transitioning from pulpit rabbi to community rabbi, to who I am becoming as I seek to move beyond all labels, I have found that this site remains an important way for people to get to know me, and understand my theology.
I am fundamentally committed to the sacred act of translation- seeking to discern the Divine through text and life, and to translate those words of Torah and wisdom into reflections that can speak to people of all faith traditions... and in so doing, hopefully encouraging others to do the same. We are all created in the Image of G!d, and as such, each of us has our own unique understanding of the Sacred. In the same way as the rabbis teach that if even one letter from the scroll of the Torah is missing, the entire Torah has lost its sacredness (is no longer kosher), so too is this world diminished so long as people silence themselves. For too long, organized religion has been used as a weapon, to keep people silent and to teach shame... my quest as a rabbi, and indeed, as a human being, is to work to translate religious teachings into redemptive and healing truths, to seek to liberate s/Spirit and to work toward "tikkun olam" (the healing of the universe).
My current rabbinate is dedicated to teaching and mentoring other rabbis, and working with interfaith families, as well as those traditionally marginalized from mainstream Judaism. In the same way as the holiness of the Jewish prayer shawl (tallit) can be found in its fringes (tzitzit) so too do I believe that the most important contribution I can make to the Jewish people is "Keruv" (helping people find their way home), and to the broader world is "shleimut" (helping people to find wholeness). I also serve G!d as a social worker, doing what I can to work for justice for all people.
It is my prayer that the insights in this blog will bring healing and insight to others, and encourage others to find their voice and path. Thank you for your time reading my work.
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