Today is September 13, 2024 /
Today is September 13, 2024 /
Because we recognize that while there may be community elements to prayer, everyone has his or her own uniquely private spiritual life. We may all be standing together, but at the peak moment of the silent prayer, everyone is in his or her uniquely private personal space. So here is the question that I would Continue Reading »
By Meredith Lewis, Director of Content and Engagement, PJ Library Last spring, my five-year-old turned to me, unprompted, and asked, “Mom, what’s the story of Passover again?” Easy, I thought. I have a master’s degree in Judaic Studies and have worked in Jewish education for years. Plus, I’ve seen The Prince of Egypt multiple times. Continue Reading »
By Aryeh Ben David The favorite part of my week is our staff meetings. I wonder how other organizations begin their staff meetings. Do they jump into business? There is always so much to do. Do they begin with a D’var Torah? Is it pro forma or does the D’var Torah impact the staff meeting? Continue Reading »
Isn’t our custom on Chanuka a bit strange? We light a candle… and then we are prohibited from using or enjoying the light! It’s actually kind of ridiculous. Do we cook food and then say that it is forbidden to eat the food? Do we sew clothes and then say that it is forbidden to Continue Reading »
By Jeff Amshalem, Ayeka Educator Last year, I struggled with a particular class, 11th grade Jewish Thought and Identity. Despite the great topics, driven by questions like “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, “Where does the Torah come from?”, and “Is Judaism a religion, a peoplehood, or a culture?”, we weren’t connecting on Continue Reading »
In Hebrew, the word – “l’shoef ” – means both “to inhale” and “to yearn”. If I stop yearning – it’s as if I’ve stopped inhaling. Yearning gives me life; inhaling enables me to yearn. If I stop yearning – I stop living. What are you yearning for this year? In the words of Mary Continue Reading »
By Mali Brofsky, Ayeka Educator Here we are, at the beginning of a new year. For me, it feels so full of beginnings – the beginning of a new semester of teaching, the beginning of a new school year for my children. The upcoming holidays with their promise, and their challenge, of a fresh spiritual Continue Reading »
By Shawn Fields-Meyer, Ayeka Educator One of the most powerful moments of prayer comes not through words, or song, but rather in a moment of quiet. Our tradition guides us in holy choreography: just before the Amidah — before we enter into an intensive stream of dialogue with God — we do a little dance. Continue Reading »
I love the aisle seat on planes. I stretch out, get up and walk around. Don’t need to inconvenience anyone when I have to wander. Recently I flew back from the States after a long trip and was so happy and content to be going home in my aisle seat. I took off my sneakers, Continue Reading »
As published in Times of Israel & Medium, August 1, 2016 The word for mute in Hebrew – i’lem – shares the same root as the word for violence – alimut. A common interpretation of this linkage is that a person who cannot express his/her voice may become aggressive. An inability to voice one’s opinions Continue Reading »
