Reflections

You have probably heard the old adage that there are dog people and cat people. Is this true? I don’t know! However, there very well might be dog Jews and cat Jews! Contemporary Judaism is very dog like and extraverted. Moreover, synagogues are very dog places! But what about Jewish introverts? Is there a place … Continue reading ““Dog” Jews and “Cat” Jews: Contemporary Judaism, the Synagogue, and Jewish Innovation”

The Hebrew Bible – called the Torah by Jews – is the most important book in the Jewish tradition. It is also one of the most important books in the Christian tradition and has impacted the history and unfolding of Western civilization, the Islamic worlds, and global history in countless ways. But what meaning and … Continue reading “How to Read the Bible: A Contemplative Jewish Approach to Torah Study”

Our lives are filled with both so much goodness and joy as well as struggle and pain. No matter how hard we try – and try we do – life is simply unpredictable. At times, it may even feel like we go from one celebration and horror after another only to not know what comes … Continue reading “Sukkot: Mindfulness, Sanctuary, and the Refuge of Vulnerability”