The Jewish value of making mistakes, admitting them, learning from them, and moving on.

What do we do when things feel out of control? We laugh. We ask questions/cry out. We search for the Divine presence. We remain hopeful.

What do we do while we are waiting for the messiah? An example of a redemptive moment.

Watch the video below to hear my thoughts on antisemites from my hometown, Kanye, Kyrie, Basheer Jones, and the legacy of Avraham Avinu.

Mario Zacchini, the last surviving member of the original generation of human cannonballs, passed away in 1999 at 87 years old. According to his obituary in the New York Times, Zacchini’s routine employment was being explosively propelled from a cannon across a circus tent into a net. Mr. Zacchini would fly through the air at…Read more »

In March of 2020, I boarded a plane to join 20,000 fellow Zionists at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual policy conference. I had come to appreciate this annual gathering for giving me opportunities to learn, to reconnect with colleagues and friends, and to reenergize me. At that time, we began to hear the…Read more »

I was a sophomore in college when I had the most frustrating Jewish experience of my life. I finally worked up the courage to attend Shabbat services and dinner at Rutgers Hillel. Having grown up in the Reform movement, I attended Kabbalat Shabbat services with the Rutgers Reform community. When it came time for the…Read more »

A few weeks ago, we were blessed to have Rabbi Alan Lettofsky join us for Shabbat services. As one of the editors of the Conservative Movement’s newest series of siddurim, Rabbi Lettofsky spoke to a group of us about the process he and the committee engaged with to birth the new books. One of Rabbi…Read more »

Do you remember those few good weeks? The period of 6-8 weeks this summer when it seemed like everyone was vaccinated and we briefly came out of our isolation? During that period, I had the opportunity to travel to Israel with our Cleveland Jewish Federation. I had not traveled anywhere in nearly eighteen months, so…Read more »

Those of you who tuned in yesterday will recall that I gave the first of a two part sermon. Yesterday, I spoke about transforming our doubt into possibility. The sermon was presented in honor of Connie Waxman, of blessed memory, and all of our members who passed just before and during these pandemic months. I…Read more »