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Parashat Tazria – Modern Pandemics and Exclusion from community
I was asked to give a D’var Torah (sermon) at Tikvat Israel this morning, during the month that our rabbi is away in Israel, volunteering in aid of that country in this time of war and struggle. You can read Rabbi Marc Israel’s reflections on his trip here. I don’t usually write out speeches ahead…
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It is easier as the years go by, but I still miss him…
Today was my father’s yahrzeit, the anniversary of his death in the Hebrew calendar. He died 42 years ago, accidentally, at the age of 44. Two more years and he will be dead as long as he was alive. That will be a strange milestone… Every year, near the end of December, I get email…
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SUV mentality!!
I drive a small car – a Chevy Volt: I like the agility of a small car, I like having the ability to park nearly anywhere. I also am committed to the idea of EVs – yes, my 2012 Volt is not 100% electric. It only goes about 30 miles on a full charge, and…
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You should never say never!
As a physician, I am careful to avoid using either the word “always” or the word “never” when talking to patients about any health issues. Anything in life is possible, and nothing is predictable. A situation might seem hopeless may turn around and improve, and conversely, someone may be improving steadily and take a sudden…
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Going on a short vacation
Well, as for my previous post, I didn’t do the 10-miler. It’s OK, I’m not beating myself up about it. I hadn’t trained, and I might have a injured myself. I have started a fairly regular exercise routine – in the past week, I’ve run twice, and biked to and from work twice. That’s pretty…
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Well, another year has passed in this endless timeless time…
The last time I posted here, it was in the middle of counting the Omer, and here we are again, with Shavuot just a couple of days away. I’m contemplating making a cheesecake, or blintz’s, but I’m likely to just buy treats instead of making them from scratch – I just don’t have the energy,…
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Counting…
I’ve been counting the Omer. Maybe you are, also. I have had mixed success, over the years, at getting through all 49 days. Many years, I have managed to count the first day (which is written into the Seder for the second night of Passover), and that was it. Counted one night, and then failed…
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Marmite memories…
OK, does the name Marmite mean anything to you? For many Americans, at least, Marmite doesn’t mean anything, but in the UK, Marmite generates passionate responses – as the advertising campaign says “Love it. Hate it. Just don’t forget it.” I think I probably first had Marmite as an infant in England…we then moved to…
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Spring Break in a Pandemic during Passover
It’s April 1, which carries a less-than-fun memory for me, although as the years pass, the pain of April 1, 2016 has been replaced by more optimism and hope that I might have imagined possible. In those five years, I’ve bought a house, changed jobs, gained a second synagogue community and seem to be doing…
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Ugh! all my photos have gone poof!
I migrated this blog to a new hosting service, when I discovered recently that on my old host, I was paying more and getting less, so like a good consumer, I looked around for a better deal. I’m hoping I succeeded (I’m not really the queen of comparative shopping – I just don’t have the…
