I received an email saying that my flight home to the States from Israel was delayed two hours. Instead of leaving at 12:45 am (Friday morning) and arriving at 5:34 am (Friday morning) – really, how does that happen??🤔) – I would now arrive at 7:45 am. That meant I would miss my connecting flight…

I was on Facebook and this came up. I think it is the perfect coda to my last blog post.

In 1970, the Five Man Electrical Band came out with a song, “Signs” Sign, signEverywhere a signBlockin’ out the sceneryBreakin’ my mindDo this, don’t do thatCan’t you read the sign? Today was a day where the world was pointing signs at me. I’m guessing that I am supposed to share. _________________ Walking into the home…

Whenever I visit my friends here in Israel, there is a pseudo-routine we follow. Among the normal errands they run, we usually eat out once a day – either lunch or dinner. Not always. But often. Today, I ate out twice – breakfast and dinner. For breakfast this morning, I met Rabbi Steve Burnstein, from…

I’ve been in five different countries during Valentine’s Day. And I am amazed how globalization has taken this very-American, commercialized-driven “holiday” and brought it around the world. In the United States, Ethiopia, China, Bulgaria, and Israel, the ubiquitous “I Love You” and red hearts dot the landscape of candy and flower shops around February 14.…

What I love about staying with my friends here in Israel is that both are “collectors.” They surround themselves with the most interesting people. Partially because they are caring, curious, and people of conscience. Partially because they – themselves – are thoughtful individuals, whom others want to engage. Every time I stay with them, I…

Tonight will conclude our formal CCAR mission to Israel. I write this Shabbat morning, anticipating two lectures: one from the Executive Director of IRAC (Israel Religious Action Center) and one from Rabbi Michael Marmur, who during his more than25 years at HUC-JIR taught and nurtured more than two generations of Reform rabbis, cantors, and educators.…

Beginning Wednesday afternoon, people greet each other with “Shabbat shalom,” anticipating Shabbat. For the vast majority of Israelis, Shabbat is just the weekend. For many, even secular Israelis, it may include a Shabbat dinner…but in truth, it’s just the opportunity to get together for a family dinner when everyone is available. For us, today (Friday)…

When I was looking to buy a house many years ago, I remember distinctly the advice I received from an older friend: “Almost anything from the ground up can be changed. Just make sure that the foundation is sound.” Today was all about foundations: institutional foundations, the foundations of our memories, and the foundations of…

As Jews, there are two imperatives: Zachor- Remember ;and Pidyon Shevuyim – Redeem the Captive These twin values inform so much of what it means to be Jewish. We believe in community. We believe in the value of each human life. When one life is extinguished, it is as though a whole world has disappeared.…