Blog

Self-care is something many of us, including myself, struggle with. In such a fast-paced world we find that there isn’t much time, or even feel guilty for taking care of ourselves, perhaps we even feel guilty for wanting to be “selfish” when we’re taught to be “selfless.” But the truth is, self-care is crucial for […]

I hope you and your family are doing well. Here are excerpts from my President’s Report delivered at the annual congregational meeting on June 12 as well as summarize other matters discussed and resolved at the meeting. We had approximately one hundred members attend the meeting virtually, far and above the usual number of members […]

As I sit down to write this bulletin article, a Target bag stashed with some goodies I bought before COVID-19 hit catches my eye. Among the treasures in the bag are rainbow-themed playroom decorations I bought in anticipation of transitioning over my home office into a play space for my son. Needless to say, that […]

We moved our services from people in the synagogue to only the clergy in the synagogue. Then we moved our services to our homes. As Helayne and I navigated how to move everything we do at work to our home, we began to create a sacred space in our house from where we would lead […]

The winter holidays have, in recent years, turned into a “religious holiday competition.” If Chanukah is the festival of lights, how come Christmas gets all the flashy decorations? Christmas gets cookies but at least Chanukah gets things fried in oil. Presents? Yeah, we’ve got that too, but we get presents for 8 nights – so […]

For many, the months of November and December can be very difficult. There are less hours of sunshine daily. The weather is cold and dreary. Sadly, we know that there is plenty of time until the weather warms up. Winter is the time when the earth looks barren. Plants don’t thrive. Animals hibernate. Less and […]

Think back to the cusp of fall and winter in 2013…do you recall any excitement surrounding Thursday, November 28th? We eagerly gathered with friends and family to celebrate the momentous occasion. Some of us even bought special edition chanukiyot from Kickstarter shaped like turkeys in anticipation of the statistically incredible event- Thanksgivukkuh-the coinciding of Thanksgiving […]

On October 8, 2019, I delivered my Kol Nidre appeal speech. Although a large number of members were in attendance that evening, I have decided to publish it below for the benefit of those members who were not present and to reinforce my message to those who were. Before doing so I want to set […]

During Rabbinical School, each student must complete at least one unit of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education). We are assigned to a hospital and floor or to a rehabilitation home, a nursing home, or other places in need of a chaplain. I was sent to St. Albans VA hospital, in Queens, on the palliative care floor. […]

I would like to begin with a sincere “thank you” to all of you who have helped to ease my transition to North Shore Synagogue. It has been a pleasure meeting you, whether it be at Shabbat services, Torah Study, at the Brotherhood Barbeque or around the synagogue. I have felt and continue to feel […]