The Woman Who Was Arrested at the Kotel for Wearing a Tallis ...

For a religion committed to all people being made in the image of God, it makes me cry when I hear of injustices regarding the treatment of women who want to pray. The comments to this first-person account of being arrested for wearing a tallis at the Kotel are as important to read as the story itself. Let me know what you think after you read it.


http://forward.com/articles/119059/

Thanksgiving in Austin ... I have much to be thankful for ...

Thanksgiving is a time to slow down and take a moment to breath. And breath I did ... I was fortunate to spend the most lovely, quiet Thanksgiving yesterday with Cantor Marie Betcher and her husband, Jonathan ... just them and me and ChiChi, my Chihuahua (it is good to know other "dog people.") The day was truly what I needed ... good friends, good food, and great conversation ... a perfect way to stop and take a breath from this crazy week and celebrate everything for which I am thankful. : )

A Cross-Reference to One of My Favorite Blogs ...

I "knew" the author of this blog before I moved to Austin, where I met him. David Wilensky, a college student in NJ who was raised in the synagogue where I now work, challenges reform Jews in thoughtful ways to explore the meaning behind their theology and rituals. Check it out:

http://davidsaysthings.wordpress.com/

I take this young man out for lunch every time he is home on a school break ... the mental gymnastics he provides are well worth the cost of his meal. : )

A Day in the Life of a Rabbi ...

Today was long, but extremely fulfilling. I taught an adult education class (more than 30 people interested in what it means to be a reform Jew), followed by meeting with congregants about a variety of issues and then helped lead our kids' choir. After teaching a second/different adult education class (more than 20 people interested in writing Jewish ethical wills), I met with more congregants and then went to the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries 25th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, where our kids' choir sang beautifully. (It was so cool to hug all those kids after they performed ... to see their faces light up is a true joy.) A few minutes of "meet and greet" at the event was followed by a trip to the homeless shelter area to feed folks with the leftovers from our Internet Cafe, followed by an extended hospital visit. A quick drive-thru trip for dinner was then followed by a meeting with a family to plan tomorrow morning's funeral. I got to the office at 8am and it is now well after 9pm ... what a day. What a moving, meaningful, fulfilling, and exhausting day. What a day. After I work on tomorrow's eulogy, I think it is time to read the Sunday paper. : )

The Rabbi Shot at the President ... a great story ...

My first real post is here simply because it makes me laugh ... here is an article from a site called "Jews in the Wild West" ... yes, the rabbi apparently took a couple of shots at the president of the congregation ... but read it to see what the biggest complaint about the incident was. : )

http://www.jewish-history.com/WildWest/shootout.html

A Brand New Venture ... What's the Point of this Blog? : )

Well, I'm not sure ... yet. As of now, I think it will be a space to share interesting articles ... and perhaps a few thoughts others might find interesting. I am hoping that, once I get a little more confident with this medium, perhaps others will begin to comment and true conversation can begin. If you stumble across this, let me know what you think ... suggestions are always welcome! : )