Tag Archives: judaism

Go Ahead and Try: Why Pesach (and Judaism) Aren’t All-or-Nothing

I’m going to risk the wrath of the Star Wars gods and disagree with Yoda. In The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker is required to lift his ship out of the Dagobah swamp using only his mind. Skeptical of his own ability to wield the Force, Luke says, “Alright, I’ll give it a try,” toContinueContinue reading “Go Ahead and Try: Why Pesach (and Judaism) Aren’t All-or-Nothing”

“For You Were Strangers”

I am an immigrant. An American born in Alabama, I have lived all over the United States. And for the last 5 years, thanks to a rabbinical position that brought me to the Toronto suburbs, I have made my home in Canada. I love both of my countries – the one in which I wasContinueContinue reading ““For You Were Strangers””

“Not Very Religious” – A Sermon for Kol Nidrei 5777

It is told that once, just before the start of Yom Kippur, the Baal Shem Tov went up to a Jew in the back of the synagogue and asked him to lead the Kol Nidre service. The man looked up at the Baal Shem and did what any of us might do in the situation:ContinueContinue reading ““Not Very Religious” – A Sermon for Kol Nidrei 5777″

My Father Was a Syrian Refugee: Pesach & Freedom in 2016

NOTE: This essay was cross posted at Kol Ami. In the Passover seder, we are commanded to tell our story of freedom beginning with the words: “Arami Oveid Avi – My father was a wandering/escaped Aramean.” There are differences of opinion regarding whether this line refers to Abraham or to Jacob. But either way, itsContinueContinue reading “My Father Was a Syrian Refugee: Pesach & Freedom in 2016”