Friends, As I sit here writing, snow is falling on the back quarter out my office window. Reno has turned to gray and white, and I can feel, despite the clouds, that sunset is coming soon. Winter is here, without a doubt, and Chanukah arrives precisely when our need for light is greatest, both literally […]
What’s Your Origin Story?
Dear Friends, When I was a child, I used to save the world. Daily. As a superhero named Benman, I donned my cape to do battle with the villains down by the mailbox and around my street. When I came home, my Mom would be there to hear of my exploits and give me a […]
Tzedakah
Rabbi Benjamin Zober Delivered for ACTIONN 10/18/18 Jewish tradition tells a story about the beginning of time, when God started to create the world. God, being the ultimate Being, left no room for heaven and earth. God’s Divine Light was put into vessels to make room for Creation, but no vessel could contain God’s light […]
The Sights, Sounds, and Smells of the Season
Dear Friends, As we approach the High Holy Days, the feeling is unmistakable. The feel in the air the smell of leaves turning brown, the sounds of the melodies we use just during this time of year. At least, that is how I had usually experienced it. This year, as the Holidays approach, everything seems […]
Torah in Action
Dear Friends, One only has to look outside to see some of the effects of the fires Nevada and California. Our city has been blanketed in a haze for several days now with no sign of relief. And for the people in the affected areas, the Carr fire alone has burned over 115,000 acres, destroyed […]
Starting to Feel Like Home
Dear Friends, Moving an entire family is a massive undertaking. The Book of Numbers, from which we are now reading, could just as easily describe the sheer number of boxes or books we’ve loaded onto trucks, the trips to the store to resupply our pantry, the frequency of calls from friends and family back east […]