The Torah portions we read the past two weeks, Vayigash (Genesis 44:18-47:27) and Vayechi (Genesis 47:28-50:26), offer us a chance to look at our own lives over the past year and to consider how past events during the last 12 months have gotten us to the place we now stand. It also helps us to look forward […]
January and Joseph: Where You've Been and Where You're Going Read More »
The New Year shows up every year heralding our hopes of change. As Barak Obama’s book title states so well, each year we have the audacity to hope for change. More often than not, however, we don’t see that change. For Jews, the New Year seems to come twice a year – once with the
It's a New Year and It's Possible to Change Read More »
Yesterday was Christmas Day, but at our home, it felt a lot like Shabbat. Actually, it felt more like Shabbat than most Saturdays. I really hate to admit that fact, but truth be told, most Jewish holidays, Chanukah included, fall during secular work days or at times when secular activities occur. For example, on Friday afternoons,
Christmas Proves a Relaxing, Peaceful, Shabbat-Like Day for This Jew Read More »
Candlelight. It’s magical, romantic, spiritual, and useful. But there’s more to the light of candles than might meet the eye. I’m always reminded of this in the winter. Candles are central to the celebration of many winter holidays but to Chanukah in particular. The story of Chanukah revolves around two main points:Â The success of
For Chanukah: The Kabbalah of Candlelight Read More »
Have you ever noticed how we create huge tangles of our lives? Maybe we just take one strand – a relationship or a job or a particular way of thinking or a small lie or a debt that gets larger over time – and we knot it up until its a total mess. Or maybe
Untying the Tangles We Make of Our Lives Read More »
Anyone who knows me knows I’ve been studying human potential and personal growth for years. I’m always looking for tools and techniques to help people – myself included – reach their fullest potential and live fully as well. Plus, I like to put all of this into a Jewish context if I can. So, when
Self-Help A La The Tanya and Mussar: It's All About Conscious Action Read More »
I’ve been feeling a bit melancholy lately, as well as grateful for my children despite the fact that they are driving me absolutely crazy. In the last month, three children have died in Los Gatos, the town where I live. A middle school boy took his own life, possibly because his girlfriend broke up with
When the Holiday Season Doesn't Feel So Jolly, Be Happy Once a Week on Shabbat Read More »
I was at my mother’s home in New York the Friday after Thanksgiving, the day notoriously known as “Black Friday.” People hit the post Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas sales that begin traditionally on this date. The local outlet mall, Woodbury Commons, even decided to open their doors at 12 a.m (midnight) this year to boost sales and
Black Friday: Is This the Holiday Spirit? Read More »
I live in an area directly affected by the deaths of Chabad Emissary Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife, Rivkah. They have relatives living in nearby Monterey, CA. Plus, I know the Chabad Rabbi, Yochanan Friedman, in Santa Cruz quite well. He and I had an opportunity to discuss the tragedy on Monday after a
Thanksgiving is supposed to be a holiday when we celebrate our great abundance and prosperity. However, for many people, the current economic crisis may cause them to feel as if they have little to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. In fact, they may be experiencing so much lack in their lives that they can’t muster
Thanksgiving Provides Antidote to Anxiety Caused by Economic Crisis Read More »
I heard a great story today. As a way of showing his gratitude for and of giving back to the community in which he does business, a printer in Los Gatos, ProColor, decided to print free signs for any business in the town. Word got out, and he found himself with a volunteer wanting to
Imagine If We Created a World of Givers Read More »
The financial crisis seems to be hitting too close to home these days. Here on my homefront, got debt we can’t seem to get paid off. Each time I get the credit cards a bit lower, I find that I have to charge something else. My son’s hospital stays this summer left us with additional
When the Financial Crisis Hits, Open Your Hand Rather than Closing It Read More »
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