Words of the Week

It took me a few days to get to this Kveller piece, where I was reminded that January 9 marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of Debbie Friedman: “If you grew up in the Reform movement…you are undoubtedly familiar with the singer-songwriter’s vast and gorgeous musical repertoire. Influenced by folk artists like Peter, Paul, and Mary, Friedman’s music is modern, moving, and wide-ranging, from the soothing and somber ‘Mi Shebeirach‘ to the raucous and joyous ‘Miriam’s Song.'”

(more…)

How I’m Spending My (Modern Jewish) Holidays, 5780/2020

Yesterday was Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and civilian victims of terrorism. Swiftly on its heels, today brings Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day. (Learn a bit more about them here.) And this year, as you might expect, there are many, many ways to observe online.

Israeli flag
Image by dror lahat from Pixabay

It’s impossible to do—or even list—everything that’s out there. I’m just going to share with you a few events that I’ve attended/plan to attend this year.

(more…)

Responses to Difficult Reading, in Poetry and Prose

The 929 website, if you’re not familiar with it, “invites Jews everywhere to read Tanakh, one chapter a day, together.” Today’s chapter—II Samuel 13—is, as my friend Rabbi Abby Sosland observes, “almost unbearable” reading. Please be forewarned.

But if you can listen to Abby, and read my friend Sivan Rotholz’s reflections, there’s also a poem of mine included in the discussion on 929 today. (The poem, “Complicity,” is also featured in my forthcoming collection.)

Collage of screenshots from today's 929 English webpage, spotlighting contributions from Rabbi Abby Sosland, Sivan Rotholz, and me.

All three pieces—and much more—can be found on this page. (You’ll need to scroll down a bit to find my poem; if you’re in a hurry, here’s a direct link.)

Words of the Week

And now, for something a little different:

Discovered this Uzi Hitman clip via the class I’m taking on Israeli poetry and prayer, where this week we spent quite a bit of time with the “Adon Olam” text and variations.