Anticipating the arrival of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks on our country, I began to look back through pieces I had written in the first days and weeks after that tragedy. I have reproduced below remarks that I offered at a memorial service on 9/14/01.   ~~~~~~~~~ [...]

The Layers I have walked through many lives, some of them my own, and I am not who I was, though some principle of being abides, from which I struggle not to stray. When I look behind, as I am compelled to look before I can gather strength to proceed [...]

You are probably aware that Judaism provides us with opportunities to imbue with sanctity virtually every experience through the recitation of a b’racha–a blessing. There are b’rachot to be recited upon hearing thunder, encountering a person of unusual stature or extraordinary beauty or seeing a head of state. There is [...]

It’s wedding season....and in 2011 I will be officiating at seven weddings, three of which involve a young person who grew up in our congregation. You can imagine, I’m sure, what a unique joy it is to stand beneath a chuppah with a young person I have watched grow up. [...]

“Call it England, call it Spain Egypt rules with whip and chain Moses free my people again! We’re all working for Pharaoh Pharaoh he sits in his tower of steel Around his feet the princes kneel Far beneath we shoulder the wheel We’re all working for Pharaoh” [from Pharoah, by [...]

Now, if all of the aforementioned is making you think of events that have been unfolding in Egypt over the past month, it is no coincidence....