Join Reform Judaism in Atlantic Canada on Friday, February 10th at 6PM Atlantic (5PM Eastern/6:30 PM NFLD) for a special virtual, accessible and inclusive Shabbat service that will also celebrate the sacred Torah Wisdom that trees can teach us.Register to receive the Zoom link: https://urj.tfaforms.net/1034
Tonight is the Jewish holy day of Tu Bishevat: the celebration of trees. We celebrate trees in the winter, before they awaken into Spring. This holiday is about hope. It is about remembering that what we see is only a small aspect of a larger whole. This holiday is about planting seeds knowing that we … Continue reading A Shabbat to Bloom
Did you know that contrary to popular superstition, Friday the 13th is a lucky day for Jews? Did you ever wonder why this day was demonized? There are many complicated reasons for this... many of which can be traced back to antisemitism, colonization and misogyny (for more on this: read this and here). It is … Continue reading Happy Friday the 13th!
As we approach the season of Hanukkah, the miracles that this ancient holiday seeks to convey are especially powerful this year. We remember: the little bit of oil that was barely enough for one day, but that lasted for eight days… the small but determined army of Maccabees who managed to fight for justice and … Continue reading The Torah of the Maccabees: the Light of Faith
This coming Friday, the Jewish community will begin Shabbat (the Sabbath) by reflecting upon the wisdom from Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17;27; 40:27-41:16) which describes how the Eternal Source of Love, Justice and Wisdom called to Abram and Sarai to leave their home and family to go forth on a journey to a place they did … Continue reading A Shabbat of Journeys
The Reform Jewish Community of Atlantic Canada is excited to celebrate 6 months of being! Thanks to your interest and attendance, this progressive and inclusive Reform Jewish community is growing rapidly. We are delighted to let you know about 3 upcoming events: 1. Introduction to Judaism Virtual Classes This Monday at 5PM Atlantic (5:30 PM … Continue reading Upcoming events for Reform Judaism of Atlantic Canada
Hayom Harat Ha'Olam... These words taken from rabbinic tradition are translated as: Today is the day that the world was created. For the ancient rabbis, Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish new year which begins today at sundown) represents the birthday of the Universe... we celebrate creation and are reminded that every day is a new beginning … Continue reading Hayom Harat Ha’Olam
Judaism has its own understanding of time. Just like we begin every day as the sun sets, we celebrate the start of the New Year every Autumn, as the leaves begin to fall... The deeper meaning is that every ending is a new beginning, and when things feel bleak, we are taught to celebrate and … Continue reading Register for our High Holy Day Services
(sermon delivered virtually to Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom on August 26, 2022) Thank you Rabbi Grushcow! Todah Rabbah! Merci Beaucoup! Qui aurait pensé, il y a tant d'années, quand nous étudions ensemble à McGill, et quand on organisait des événements ensemble à Hillel, et même ici au temple, que tous ces annees plus tard, nous serions … Continue reading Bilingual Sermon: Re’eh
I am profoundly grateful and humbled by the tremendous support and reaction I have received as I have started this slowly growing Reform Jewish Community serving Atlantic Canada, which has also seen a number of my followers from outside Canada joining us for services. It is so exciting to know that this new approach to … Continue reading Update on the Reform Jewish Community of Atlantic Canada
On Saturday night, August 6, 2022, traditional Jewish communities will be observing Tisha B'Av through fasting, prayer and lamentations. This day is a day of communal memorial for the countless acts of violence and tragedy that have befallen our people, and is attributed to be the day that both the first and second Temples of … Continue reading Tisha B’Av: A Jewish Day of Grieving and Remembering
Join Rabbi Dr. Siritsky for a Shabbat Service that will be virtual, interactive, inclusive and accessible- open to all people and hosted as part of Reform Judaism of Atlantic Canada's monthly services. Please register for the Zoom link at: https://urj.tfaforms.net/820 https://urj.tfaforms.net/820
Did you know that Judaism believes in more than two genders? According to the Talmud, there are at least 6 genders. What we think we know about what Judaism is often wrong. We live in a world where Jews often know more about the religious beliefs of non-Jews than about their own tradition. This is … Continue reading A special online class for Pride
This coming Shabbat (Sabbath), Jewish communities around the world will be invited to reflect upon the lessons contained in the weekly scriptural text of "Korach" (Number 16:1-18:32; I Samuel 11:14-12:22) which contains the story of the attempted uprising of Korach and his followers against Moses, Aaron and Miriam. It is hard not to reflect upon … Continue reading What donkeys can teach us…
My father is at the epicenter of my heart, along with my mother, and all those early formative loves that became part of the fabric that is me. And, as one of my great teachers on how to live, how to love and how to be- my father is at the heart of my heart. … Continue reading A personal reflection for Father’s Day
Rabbinic tradition explains that there is a difference between prayer and blessing. Both are vitally important for our spiritual health and general well-being: like air and water for our bodies, our souls need both. Prayer emerges from the heart, and forms a special bond between the person and the Holy One. In Hebrew, the word … Continue reading Infuse your life with blessing
Shabbat is almost here! Join the Reform Jewish Community of Atlantic Canada for its first virtual Shabbat service this Friday night, May 13th!!! The week might feel stressful but it will not last forever! No matter what Monday throws at us... Friday night will return... Remembering that everything is finite is an important strategy to … Continue reading Can’t wait for Shabbat!
Not able to gather in person? Not sure what to do? Whether you are new to Judaism, or feel like you've seen it all- everyone is welcome!!! Bring ancient tradition to life and make new friends! Join me as I lead the Reform Jews of Atlantic Canada in our first ever virtual Passover Seder! Please … Continue reading First Night of Passover: Join us for a Virtual Seder
Many of you may know that I recently relocated to Nova Scotia, Canada, where I have the opportunity to support amazing social workers from across the province, overseeing their professional development, standards and advocacy, as well as beginning my own private counseling practice. I love what I am doing, and I love this beautiful province … Continue reading My new chapter: Reform Judaism in Atlantic Canada
In the book of Genesis, G!d said to Abraham: "Lech Lecha" which means go forth to yourself... embrace who I created you to be... Become your destiny. The rabbis further teach that each human being was created with a special purpose... represented by a letter that represents our essence. Our life is a journey through … Continue reading Embracing Who We Were Created to Be: Queering is Redeeming
I was deeply honored to speak on Ash Wednesday at Queer Spirit Church in Halifax, which feels like the ultimate act of queering: a rabbi speaking in a Baptist church, that hosts an emerging queer community of faith, on Ash Wednesday. I reflect upon these apparent contradictions, as part of my larger life's mission to … Continue reading My Sermon: Queering is Redeeming
Many years ago my daughter spoke a truth so powerful that I believe it has the potential to dismantle the oppressive chains of those who claim to be religious yet espouse a theology of hatred: "If G!d is Love, and two people love each other, and others say that they don't believe in the love … Continue reading Who are the true believers?
When I was invited to speak at Queer Spirit Church, I was profoundly moved by the opportunity to share with a Christian faith community insights from my faith tradition. As a second generation Holocaust survivor, I feel like I am honoring my ancestors who died so that I could live. This is at the core … Continue reading Queering is Redeeming
Many years (decades lol) ago, I was blessed to learn of a Sufi teaching that all of the world's religions are like different colored beads with the same string of truth running through them... As life evolved, I began to create my own renditions of this same teachings... perhaps all of the world's great Wisdom … Continue reading A rabbi’s reflections between Mardi Gras and Lent
This world teaches us blindness... may 2022 be the year we come to see the sacred in everyone... this story reflects the ancient but not yet understood teaching from Genesis 28: And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said: ‘Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.’ We can … Continue reading Learning to see
In March 2020, I learned a new way to be a rabbi- through Zoom... Ironically, my new year's resolution for 2020 was to increase my technology skills, and indeed, I created this website as part of my working on this new year's resolution... I found someone to tutor me and teach me... and luckily, by … Continue reading Shabbat Shalom and Shanah Tovah: Saying goodbye to 2021 and welcoming in 2022
This past Shabbat (Sabbath), many in the Jewish community are reflecting upon the rabbinic teachings connected to the weekly biblical reading of “Chayei Sarah” (Genesis 23:1-25:18 ; Kings I 1:1-31). The following is a reflection rooted in these. For more about the sources, please go to http://www.chabad.org. This biblical passage is traditionally entitled “Chayei Sarah” … Continue reading Chayei Sarah
This Shabbat (Sabbath), many in the Jewish community are reflecting upon the rabbinic teachings connected to the weekly biblical reading of “Vayeira” (Genesis 18:1-22:24; Kings II 1:1-22:24). The following is a reflection rooted in these. For more about the sources, please go to http://www.chabad.org. The biblical text describes G!d “appearing” to Abraham at the opening … Continue reading Vayeira (Genesis 18:1-22:24)
This Shabbat (Sabbath), many in the Jewish community are reflecting upon the rabbinic teachings connected to the weekly biblical reading of “Lech Lecha” (Genesis 12:1-17:27 ; Isaiah 40:21-41:16). The following is a reflection rooted in these. For more about the sources, please go to http://www.chabad.org. Out of nowhere comes “The Call” to Abram to go … Continue reading Lech Lecha (Genesis 12:1-17:27)
This Shabbat (Sabbath), many in the Jewish community are reflecting upon the rabbinic teachings connected to the weekly biblical reading of “Noach” (Genesis 6:9-11:32; Isaiah 54:1-10). The following is a reflection rooted in these. For more about the sources, please go to http://www.chabad.org. The first verse of this biblical passage contains this enigmatic Hebrew phrase: … Continue reading Noach (Genesis 6:9-11:32; Isaiah 54:1-10)
This Shabbat (Sabbath), many in the Jewish community are reflecting upon the rabbinic teachings connected to the weekly biblical reading of “B’reishit” (Genesis 1:1-6:8; Isaiah 42:5-21). The following is a reflection rooted in these. For more about the sources, please go to http://www.chabad.org. The first word of the Torah is “B’reishit” which is translated as … Continue reading B’reishit: Genesis 1:1-6:8
During the Jewish High Holy Days, between Rosh Hashanah (today) and Yom Kippur (in 10 days), we are called to reflect, reconfigure our priorities and recommit to what matters. There is a tradition (tashlich) of going to a body of water and casting away our sins... but the word sin in English means something very … Continue reading Tashlich: Letting go of last year
On this eve of the Jewish New Year, as day turns to night, and the new moon barely begins to glow, I pray that our poor planet is granted a year of healing, blessing and peace. May each and everyone of us be blessed and use this year that we are given to be a … Continue reading Shanah Tovah! May 5782 bring only healing, blessing and peace to all!
Maah Gadlu Ma'asecha Yah... How amazing are Your Creative Works O Source of Creation... My view of the sunrise from my window yesterday morning after taking the dogs out... it was even more spectacular a few minutes earlier when I was outside but I didn't have my phone at that point and I have learned … Continue reading Torah Lessons from the Sun
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 … Continue reading Hatikvah: Searching for Hope
The Hebrew Bible commands us to observe the festival of Sukkot (booths) and to reexperience the long and difficult journey toward freedom that the Children of Israel undertook, as they escaped slavery wandering in the desert and wilderness for forty years before entering the promised land. We are commanded to feel joy, and to learn … Continue reading A contemporary Sukkot Meditation
Last night, the Jewish community began Shabbat (Sabbath) by also celebrating the beginning of the week-long festival of Sukkot, which is commanded in the book of Leviticus 23:42-43- “You shall live in booths seven days; all citizens in Israel shall live in booths, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite … Continue reading Sukkot 2020
I have lived in Louisville, Kentucky... for over ten years... working on countless projects with the mayor's office and the Louisville Metro Police Department and even the FBI, to try to bring healing, justice and peace to this city. It is therefore with profound sadness, horror, rage and disgust that I watch what is unfolding … Continue reading A response to Kentucky Attorney General David Cameron
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