Dear Friends, As Chanukah approaches, so do the many great debates of the season. I am not referring to the one between Rabbis Hillel and Shammai over how we light the chanukiah (we settled that one – Hillel won and we light one the first night and increase each night as opposed to counting down). […]
Joy of Sukkot
Dear Friends, Let’s talk about the difference between Yom Kippur joy and Sukkot joy, because yes – both holidays are supposed to be joyful! Yom Kippur joy is letting go of the barriers we’ve put up in our lives against joy. The shoulds, the fear, the plans, the things we hide away. It’s a clean-out, […]
You Are the Temple
Dear Friends, Christ Church Reno has only been in our building a short while, but it is already providing so much for both of our congregations. A few weeks ago, I was invited to join them for Father Juan’s installation. Among the guests was Bishop Eric Menees of the Anglican Diocese. As he spoke, a […]
Hope for Ukraine
Dear Friends, Then there comes a day, when snow Begins to melt, and peasants go To sharpen ploughshares, and to plough, And to will their files, and sow. And as from forge or field they come, With horse and cart returning home, Meeting on the way, they chat Of many things, of this, and that. […]
Getting Back
Dear Friends, When I had my bicycle accident a few months ago, a few witnesses commented on how fast I was going before the crash. While I have never gotten up to the speeds they estimated, I was not taking it slow. So, it is somehow fitting that ever since, I have had to take […]
Taking a Breath
Dear Friends, As you know, our situation is changing rapidly here in Washoe County. Yesterday, the Washoe County Health District emailed mid-morning with reports that the wastewater testing revealed a sharp rise in omicron levels. I was in meetings at the time, Mike Stombaugh was diligently working on the Shabbat reminder, and Michael Gorden our […]