Every song, no matter how beautiful, must eventually come to an end. What gives it meaning is not only the notes that are played, but the silence that follows, the quiet that allows us to feel what lingers…inviting us to pause, to listen differently, and to recognize what endures. In...
On Friday night we will honor the congregants who make lifelong learning possible at KI. Caryl and Mike Levin have done so much for our community over the years, making learning real across the age span. By helping us to learn as adults, they and their wonderful volunteers have made...
This weekend, around the world, kids will dress up for Halloween. They’ll go door-to-door for candy. Yards will be decorated with spiders and spider webs and all the spooky accoutrements of this time of year. Haunted houses will be visited. Ghost stories will be told. Even still, there are even...
Last week, when we saw the first images of hostages reunited with their families, there was a collective sigh of relief. Following two horrific years, these brave souls found themselves back in Israel and back in the arms of those they love. The twenty that came back are the lucky...
This week, we are celebrating the long-awaited release of the remaining hostages in Israel. Our joy is mixed with relief, grief, and prayer, a reminder that even when healing begins, there are still hearts that ache, families still waiting, a longing for peace, and strength needed to heal. Joy and...
This Shabbat, our youngest will become a Bar Mitzvah. Lisa and I would love to have you join us for a festive Friday night service and special oneg. Sammy is one-of-a-kind: smart, funny, understated and loving. Like all kids, he’s layered and amazing. My dad will be giving the sermon...
A week ago, we witnessed a shocking and horrific murder. It made national news. There were cries for revolution and protest. Commentators took to the networks to decry the incident. They predicted uprisings and outrage. While I feel Charlie Kirk’s rhetoric was deeply offensive when it came to minority groups,...
As we enter the season of “teshuvah” and return, I have been thinking a lot about the Jewish community I grew up in. I grew up in Sioux City, Iowa. There weren’t many Jewish kids, but our synagogue was a true intergenerational community. I was always invited in, encouraged to...
David Byrne, the lead singer of the Talking Heads, sings ‘the world was moving she was right there with it, and she was.’ The song, ‘And She Was,’ appeared on their 1985 album, Little Creatures. I’m not sure what he intended when he wrote that line, but – for me...
Preparation takes work. As I get ready to return to school- yes, Organic Chemistry, I’ve been reflecting on how much energy, organization, and intention it truly takes to step into something new. The beginning of a school year can feel full of promise or overwhelming, depending on what support is...
