Jewish Relationships Initiative

Category: ethics

  • Shabbat Shalom

    Redemption Song.  Stephen Marley performs one of his father’s most important songs.

    Shabbat Shalom.

  • To Mom, Zichronah Livracha- a toast with Chocolate Milk

    A small gathering of family said goodbye to the matriarch this past Sunday.  Adult children and wives, adult grandchildren, and a “bun in the oven.”  I was asked to officiate because that is what the family believed mom would have wanted.  They and their mother understood themselves in a humanist way, but they believed it was the appropriate honor for mom- to bury her Jewishly.  The boys never had a chance to have this conversation with her as she had dementia that ravaged her by the end.

    I did my best to honor her and those who were trying to honor their mother by weaving rituals with stories that each family member was eager to share and reluctant to stop.  This beautiful family time ended by raising a glass of chocolate milk, mom’s favorite drink, toasting her life and the family that is her legacy.

    As I was preparing to leave, the sons presented me with the replica Torah Scrolls given to each of them by the rabbi from their Bar Mitzvah.  They found them among the few possessions mom brought with her to the care facility.

    May her life be for a blessing.

  • Forward from here

  • Shabbat HaHatzbiyah- The Shabbat of the Vote

     

    This is the Shabbat before our national elections.  Our tradition names certain of our Shabbats because of their significance.  As American Jews, this Shabbat is truly significant.  Our right to vote comes November 3.  This is our moment as citizens to have a voice.  Please Vote!

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Freedom- Shabbat Shalom

    Playing for Change reaches across the globe to share a vision to lead us into Shabbat.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • We are in this together?

     

    You can make a difference! Go to  World Central Kitchen to learn how to advocate in Congress and to support chef Jose Andres’ incredible work at World Central Kitchen

  • Shabbat Shalom

    By the Rivers of Babylon sung by Rocky Dawuni – Playing for Change

    This Shabbat, May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • America for All

  • Shabbat Shalom

    As we prepare for Shabbat, remember when you need someone, lean on me.

    Playing for Change shares Lean on Me.

    Shabbat Shalom

  • Shabbat Shalom

    The tension between generations continues.  It was embodied in this Cat Stevens /Yusef Islam music, Father & Son, that resonated so deeply for me them and now.

    “There is a better place, a promised land…There is no way we get from here to there  except by joining hands, marching together.” (Mishkan Tefillah, p.39)

    Shabbat Shalom