Rabbi Samantha Natov explores the human desire for happiness and fulfillment, and examines Judaism’s take on what it means to feel “spiritually whole” and “connected.” She reminds us to be mindful and present and to practice gratitude, and demonstrates how fulfilling mitzvot can give us a sense of purpose.
This week a congregant and I were talking about reports of the heart breaking situation at holding camps for migrant children. She expressed how furious she was when she first heard about the separated families. Like many of us, she expressed her outrage by signing petitions, marching in rallies, contributing to various aid organizations and writing to her local representatives. She yelled on Facebook and Twitter “How could this be happening? How in our country, in America, which holds family ties as sacred?”
“Because there are so few righteous individuals, God intentionally spreads them out,” explains Rabbi Samantha Natov while discussing righteous acts described in the Torah. “Miracles happen every time a small act of kindness leads others to participate in that kindness and multiply the deed – and every moment presents an opportunity to make a choice that brings goodness into the world.”
Welcoming officers from the Israel National Defense College for a special Kabbalat Shabbat service and dinner, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch spoke about the modern-day miracle of Israel and recounted how the Israelites’ march to the Promised Land was intended to bring light to all the nations of the world.
After the recent loss of his mother, Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch reflects on life’s ephemeral beauty – and the central importance of mothers in our lives.
With all our differences, what makes us one Jewish people? Rabbi Rena Rifkin has always believed that what connects us “is the core belief and understanding that we must protect one another and care for others.” That’s why she’s so troubled by Jewish individuals who are claiming religious exemptions from vaccinations amid a serious outbreak of measles.