Growing Pains: A Tisha B’Av Reflection
At a conference of neurological science with hundreds of neurologists in attendance, a particular kind of disorder was discussed among all the scientists and doctors. The disorder causes [...]
Regaining Nuance in a Cancel Culture
Last week on Chanukah, one of my students asked me a very good question: “Rabbi, why do we celebrate the Maccabees each year on this holiday? I know they saved the Jews from the Greeks, but [...]
The True Meaning of Chanukah
A few years back The New York Times published a disturbing opinion column by Michael David Lukas called “The Hypocrisy of Hanukkah.” There was a lot wrong with the article, but it [...]
Appreciating the Unexpected: A Thanksgiving Message
One of the books celebrity and actor Michael J. Fox wrote was called: “Lucky Man.” Why would someone afflicted with a debilitating disease like Parkinson’s write a book called “Lucky Man”? [...]
Hearing Each Other: Lessons from a Spiritual Giant
The moment Shabbat was out, I got the news. Not the news that Biden had won the election, but that Rabbi Jonathan Sacks had passed away. I was shocked. I knew the rabbi was battling cancer, and [...]
Keeping Your Faith During the Election
The acrimonious exchange during the Presidential debate – and the various media outlet’s take on the Trump/Biden exchange – has left many feeling like there is no longer respect in our society [...]
The Greatness that Lies Within
At the age of 57, Rachamim Cohen seemed to have a great life. He was the father of six beautiful children and a proud grandfather, held a Ph.D. in Special Education, worked in a senior position [...]
Aleph Bet: Going from One to Two
Most Hebrew months have one character or theme. The character of the month of Adar, for example is one of happiness during which the joyous holiday of Purim falls out. The upcoming month [...]
A Grasshopper Among Men
On May 29, 1953 Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to climb Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. What is incredible to me though, is that since that time over [...]
Celebrating Israel in Isolation: Finding Opportunity in the Crisis
After recently helping dozens of members of the Manhattan Jewish Experience community prepare for their Seders alone, and a month into a new world of isolation and social distancing, we received [...]
