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*sermon (abridged) offered at Temple Emanu-El on October 27, 2023/12 Heshvan 5784 After the close of sitting shiva, after the first seven days of mourning, it’s customary to walk around the block. Walking represents the physical and emotional movement toward a different part of the mourning process, where those grieving can begin to resume someContinue reading “Go forth”

*A little over five months ago, I named my chemo port “Ludlow.” Port Ludlow, WA has been a sacred place for me and my family for two decades. A place of healing, growth, and joy. I prayed each drip of the chemo through Ludlow would bring forth many years of such precious life-affirming memories asContinue reading “Farewell Ludlow”

Ain melim. No words. How can humanity be so inhumane and so cruel to one another? Is there not enough suffering to just make our way through this life with all its uncertainty? I haven’t been able to write until now, and this will be brief, but when I filled my coffee cup this morning,Continue reading “Ain melim”

*I dedicate this post to the people who I saw each time I spent hours in the infusion room—those who I spoke to and those who exchanged a knowing glance. Those who preferred to be at a distance or needed to be so. We each have our own stories and all, loving tended to byContinue reading “Layers of Living”

*adapted Shabbat Shuvah sermon, September 22, 2023 Jewish tradition is quite full of nature metaphors, which is understandable given our ancestors’ close ties to the land and the seasons. Light is a metaphor for the Divine presence, the stars represent the future generations of Abraham, and the mountain climb stands for our life-long discovery ofContinue reading “Threshold”

The last lazy days of summer come to a close as flags are raised and sweltering temps fluctuate. The first Labor Day in 1882 was kicked off by the Central Labor Union with a large New York City parade. Soon it became a national holiday with the goal of greater respect for the myriad ofContinue reading “Labor”

After numerous parenting conversations and ecstatic dances to the soundtrack, the family is off to see the Barbie movie. I’m sitting this one out in favor of a quiet Sunday afternoon with Luna, who, for the record, has been known to steal an unsuspecting doll here or there, leaving teeth marks in an arm orContinue reading “Breast Cancer Barbie”

For years I thought the 1992 song “Why” by Annie Lennox concludes with the question “Do you know what I fear?” (it’s “Do you know what I feel?”). I’ll go with the imagined lyrics as we make our way through Av and set our sights on the ascent to Yom Kippur, the holiest of days.Continue reading “Why?”

We Alone by Alice Walker We alone can devalue gold by not caring if it falls or rises in the marketplace. Feathers, shells and sea-shaped stones are all as rare. This could be our revolution: to love what is plentiful as much as what’s scarce. Michael and the kids are in Seattle visiting with family,Continue reading “Love unbound”

*sermon for Parashat Matot-Masei 5783 This Shabbat is what we call Shabbat Mevarchim, a Shabbat blessing the upcoming Hebrew month. On Wednesday evening the month of Tammuz ends, and Av begins.  Av is the darkest month in our Hebrew calendar, unfolding during days that are brilliant with blinding summer light.  In a few weeks weContinue reading “In the narrow place”