One of my favorite holidays is Sukkot—possibly because I appreciate that Sukkot represents a change in season and in mood. My birthday usually coincides with Sukkot, and back in the day, I became a Bat Mitzvah during the holiday. Sukkot is known as the “season of our rejoicing,” and th…
We are now in the month of Elul, the weeks immediately preceding the High Holidays, ushering in the new year. Traditionally, the shofar is sounded each day at morning prayers (except Shabbat) in order to awaken us to prepare ourselves for the year ahead. This is the time of introspection, of…
Editor’s Note: Jeri delivered a version of the following remarks at the Federation Annual Meeting on June 11. They have been updated and edited to fit this format.
It was Thomas Paine who said: “These are the times that try men’s souls ...” While trying, this year has also been grat…
Judaism teaches, “al tifrosh min hatzibur”— do not separate yourself from the community. This idea of communal connection, expressed in Hillel’s saying, is foundational to Judaism. Fortunately, today we can maintain that feeling of connectedness without compromising one another physi…
