More Than Four Sides

Category: Religion

  • 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…

  • It is easier as the years go by, but I still miss him…

    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…

  • 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,…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Found draft from 2017

    I’ve been cleaning up my desk, and my desktop computer (after having a bit of grief with needing to update it to get it responsive again – had 3+ weeks of not being able to restart it, but now it’s fully functional again). I checked on what was sitting on my external hard drive, and…

  • Musicals, Shmoozicals

    I hung out at the Palo Alto Community Theater throughout my high school years. Like so much of my life then, I was pulled into being involved by my best friend, S. I only was onstage one, or maybe twice. The first time, I was a Bobby-soxer in the opening number of Guys & Dolls.…

  • Shabbat… Alone vs in community

    I spent last night and today in my “old” community – Tikvat Israel congregation in Rockville, MD. I stayed with friends who generously offered me and the boys home hospitality so that we could participate in a family oriented Friday evening service including dinner at the synagogue.

  • The importance of community

    I don’t think of myself as the most social of people.  I have difficulty dealing with crowds of people I don’t know.  I hate showing up at a party where I don’t know anyone, and trying to get into conversation with people.  When I do end up at big crowded parties, I am most comfortable…

  • Through Narrow Straits

    With Easter and Passover overlapping this year, the different images of each holiday are in striking contrast in my mind. I enjoyed sharing Easter dinner with my sister’s family, hosted by her mother-in-law, who I hadn’t seen in many years.  I picked up my mother to bring her to the dinner party, and on the…