In the Sheva B’rachot, the traditional seven wedding blessings, the final blessings make reference to the joy of children at play, and the joyous sounds of shouting and singing that happens when we gather together in celebrations. Over the pandemic, I often thought about this blessing. We live close to...
In this week’s Torah portion, Shelach L’cha, it tells us that spies are sent out ahead of our people to scout the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Despite the positive report of Joshua and Caleb, that the land was “flowing with milk and honey,”...
The recent events in Israel are very disconcerting and we are praying for those under attack who have to keep running to their bomb shelters. Our hearts go out to those who are undergoing these harrowing attacks and living in these dangerous times. Complexity exists in our beloved Israel. The...
I have been a cantor now for 21 years and was a student cantor for 3 years. In those 24 years of officiating at B’nai Mitzvahs, I could never call myself “the parent” of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah student….until now. I have had the honor of standing by the side of...
This week’s Torah portion is a double one: Vayakhel-Pekudei Exodus 35:1–40:38. These portions are a continuation of the description of the building of the “Mishkan-“our sacred place where God dwells within. Four parshas of the Torah focus on the building of the “mishkan” whereas one parsha focuses on the creation of...
The tradition of a Purim Shpiel dates back to from the fifteenth century (or earlier), and they have an important place in Jewish history. Purim Shpiels not only bring us some comic relief, but they also tell the Purim story with historical reference and cultural flavor. From a Purim Shpiel...
My grandmother told me “it doesn’t cost anything to be kind.” Kindness is one of those beautiful gifts of the human heart. Kindness is flexible, it is forgiving, and it is spacious. In this week’s Torah portion, Mishpatim, we are reminded of these lessons of kindness. Having just left Egypt,...
In this week’s Torah portion, B’shalach, while we celebrated our freedom and danced along the shores of the sea, it was coupled with fear and doubt about what was to come. The question of “will God continue to sustain us?” In Exodus 17:3, after we crossed to freedom, we started...
Moral Compass: Artists Respond to Crises Temple Judea Museum exhibition January – March 2021 KI MEMBERS RESPOND TO THE PANDEMIC: I Walk with You – Cantor Amy Levy All of us have had to make mental shifts during this pandemic. I find a mental shift especially difficult when we are used...
I am wishing all of you a bright, warm and light-filled Hanukkah. As the days darken and Covid numbers are rising, Hanukkah brings us a chance to bring light and love into our lives. I am thankful that we have this opportunity to light candles with you each night. We...
