Think twice before you give a hug
by Chaya Gusfield I’m usually a hugger. When I see people I haven’t seen for a while or want to acknowledge someone in an open-hearted way, I often will automatically reach for a hug. Physical acknowledgment is usually perceived as a sign of warmth. But not always. In the last few years, I have noticed […]
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Half Century Later
by Rabbi David J. Cooper A lot has changed in the 50 years since I celebrated becoming bar mitzvah on May 30, 1964, a few days after I turned 13 on the Jewish calendar. The anniversary has spurred my thinking about the many changes of the last half century, and especially as they are reflected […]
Latkes & Turkey: “Thanksgivukkah” 25th of Kislev & 28th of November
by Rabbi David J. Cooper Some say it won’t happen again for thousands of years—that the first light of Chanukah is on the evening before Thanksgiving. I’m not totally sure about that, but here is why they coincide this year. Simply put, this is the latest that Thanksgiving can start and the earliest that Chanukah […]
Some Thoughts on Israel’s 65th
Some Thoughts on Israel’s 65th by Rabbi David J. Cooper I wanted to share with you some of my thinking as we enter the month that marks the 65th anniversary of the State of Israel. That moment in 1948 was experienced as a tragedy in the lives of the Palestinian Arabs many of whom were […]
AURORA LEVINS MORALES A Kehilla Member Facing Medical Crisis
Beloved and long-time Kehilla member, Aurora Levins Morales, has written us about a very difficult medical emergency she is facing which is not covered by insurance. She must raise funds in the thousands as quickly as possible to meet this need. Many of you are familiar with Aurora through her writings and books on […]
Rabbi David’s Cholent in the J Weekly
Faith Kramer, the food specialist in the local Jewish paper, the J Weekly, has printed my veggie cholent recipe slightly varied by emendations of hers, for her article on Rosh Hashana Food: Local rabbis savor the flavor — and symbolism — of holiday foods She cites my thoughts on cholent as a metaphor for […]
