Parashat D'varim
Recently, I was bicycling with my husband, and we looked up to see a flock of birds sailing across the sky in formation.
Judy Wexler
Parashat Chukat
In Parashat Chukat, we read how the community begins to heal after the death of Miriam and Aaron. Our community will need to figure out ways to heal as well, after the pain and challenges of the past few years. My community is working through grief from this week’s July 4th mass shooting, at which we lost one of our synagogue members. The support from our sisters throughout the world has been heart-warming and provides hope—although we know that much must change. Miriam’s leadership helps us to understand how important and difficult change is. Just as she showed the Israelites the way, through her singing and dancing, so will we all move forward in the best ways we can.
Parashah Matot-Mas’ei
In my professional work with middle school students, teaching reading and writing, I often find myself talking about compassion. It is difficult for these young adults to feel compassion for the characters in the books we read—and it is especially difficult...
Voices of WRJ: B’shalach
Recently, I came upon my Bat Mitzvah invitation—printed on its 1970s-era, bright yellow, daisy-covered stationery.
Voices of WRJ: R'eih
I have been thinking about the idea of “practice.” For several years, I practiced law. I now engage in the practice of teaching. And for the past few months, I have been practicing meditation.