Conversations with the Rabbi

Pharaohs abound. How they turn to dust.

It is true that each of us is unique and distinct in the world. A brain, a body, organs, all part of the individual "me" we use to move through the world. And yet, without reliance, interdependence, openness and vulnerability, each of is just a blip on a radar screen until we disappear from view. We're in this together, let's act like it.

All we have truly is Hayom - Today. What are you going to make of it?

Life's tribulations can get us stuck. Humility is the jump starter - the reminder that the more appropriate response may be, "Why not me?"

A striking image - perhaps it should remain like this for a while. As a reminder of the fragility of our freedoms.

Most of us find the news of the day to be challenging, infuriating and stultifying. Sometimes frozen in place, we may wonder if there is any reason to keep trying to repair the world. Let us remember that terrific modern parable about the starfish. A child comes along and sees a beachhead filled as far as the eye can see with washed up and vulnerable starfish. And there, at the shoreline stands a...

This is a poem drawn from a yearning to respond to the 326,000 Americans thus far lost to COVID. As a Rabbi, I seek to offer folks some reflective tools(?) for coping. Its so much not enough, but nothing ever will be enough to justify the far too early passing of those we love.

Feet Up, Prayerbook (or Tablet) In Hand by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

If Not Now, When? by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

Hey CSK, what are your plans for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Well, have you ever been to the circus?......

If you cannot read the Hebrew above, you should sign up for this class! If you can read the Hebrew above, but don't know what it means, you should sign up for this class! If you can read the Hebrew above and know what it means literally, you should sign up for this class! If you can read the Hebrew above and know what it means, literally and soulfully, you would be a great addition to this class a...

Do you believe that every good and bad thing that has happened to you in your life is a direct result of your own actions?

Breathing Is Easy Without A Knee On One’s Neck by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

Freedom isn't enough.

Flying Into The Wilderness by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

What songs are we writing and singing with our lives in this moment? Who do we wish to be? How do we wish to be remembered?

6 or 7 weeks into the "Q" as my sons call it, the novelty has worn off and now we wait. Try to keep safe, rally around those suffering from it or fighting it directly, and resolve our souls to mostly sit, contemplate and stay out of the way. How do we rise to the surface when it feels so dark and gloomy down here?

Weeks continue, in this for a longer haul than most of us fully understood, how do we make the best of it?

Michael Strassfeld, the author of the First, Second and Third Jewish Catalogs is the author of this "Dayeinu for our Time." Years ago, I had the privilege of studying with Michael at a rabbis retreat. He is a gifted scholar and spiritual teacher. May you find enhanced meaning in this wonderfully moving and heart-breaking Dayeinu. Our sages taught, "There is nothing more whole than a broken heart."

What is your essential drive? What makes you you? Because that is what the world needs right now.

Faith is used and abused, both by the "faithful" and the "faithless." Truth be told, I've never met a person who fits completely into either one of these delineations. Faith is indeed a human attribute meant to be "used" like courage or optimism or humility or love. Especially in a moment like this.

Dr Ann Friedman (https://www.mindfulbeinghouston.com/) is my dear friend, supporter of Shma Koleinu and a brilliant teacher of meditation. From her website: "COVID-19: We can all use a little stress reduction! All, due to the impact of COVID-19, we are announcing some changes to our classes and events: 1. Daily Noon Guided Meditations are moving to Facebook Live, effective March 23rd. Please follo...

In the craziness of our time, I wonder how children would direct us.

I had the privilege to hear Naomi Shihab Nye share her poetry at the On Being Conference a couple of years ago. She is radical and challenging and yet soothing and affirming. Her poetry touches me deeply and I wanted to share it with you. This poem, like many of hers, paints an alternate reality perceivable when we shift our perspective just a little bit.

Ok, its been a week since you may have found yourself staying at home or maybe even living with people whom you love but with whom you know, under normal circumstances, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Here's some unsolicited thoughts. If you like what you hear and you would like to make a donation to Congregation Shma Koleinu to help us continue to deliver this kind of content, click https:/...