Conversations with the Rabbi

Even in times like these, the first days are "exciting" or at least they are new. But soon enough they become tiresome and heavy. And we can lose ourselves. Listen to this meditation in striving to find yourself again.

Here's a two-step perfect for you as we enter into this upside down world.

Our wonderful cantorial soloist, Hannah Madeleine Goodman, has very lovingly recorded for all of us the Mi Shebeirach prayer. When the news, the worries and concerns overwhelm you, find a quiet spot, breathe into this moment, flood yourself with images of beauty and joy, and then let this recording wash over you.

For a moment of reflection before heading into the beautiful "sameness" of not getting to go to work or school, something we may very well have wished for a bunch of weeks back.

With Covid 19 in the news (and don't forget the Flu in general!) here's a little reminder about how hand washing is not only good for your body, its good for your soul!

Dr Marc Dollinger is CSK's Federation Shabbat Limmud Scholar in Residence Feb 14-16, 2020. He has been inspiring Rabbi Scott since he was a teenager (literally) and more importantly, he is a renowned scholar on subjects that pave new understandings of Jewish self-understanding in our day and age.

Take 5 minutes, whatever your family's normal dinner table ritual is, and share your thoughts and prayers with each other. Maybe play this for all to listen to.

Don't pay much attention to the dangers lurking in your home? Consider it! Its a truly spiritual pursuit!

Chanukah and well, Judaism can be confusing. Here is a little primer to help you out! For the full text of the blog and the link to the video referred to, click here: https://www.cskhouston.com/hearourvoice?post_id=966690

Don't hand-wring over what you did wrong, you did nothing wrong. You raised your Jewish child in a vastly non-Jewish world and they are achieving remarkable success and now they have fallen in love with someone who loves them back! Be joyous! Be hopeful! And remember the measure of your Jewish parenting "success" is not the existence of Jewish grandchildren, it is the existence and promotion of Je...

Leave your MAGA Hat and your "Indigenous Peoples' Day swag at home this year for Thanksgiving if you really want to feel the joy.

What if this year, your focus on Thanksgiving was fully targeted towards gratitude, keeping your "triggers" holstered? You mostly know the kinds of challenges you will be presented with by family members who rub you the wrong way. It'll be no surprise. So what if you went into T-giving knowing this? Imagine what it might feel like NOT to respond the way you usually find yourself doing when confron...

The themes of the High Holy days are to follow us throughout the year. Allow this meditation on "Return" to remind you of the best of your intentions that arose for you during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

Find a quiet spot in the park, in your home or on the beach, pop your ear buds into your ears and hit play. For the next 16ish minutes, Rabbi Scott will guide you - The forgiveness we can offer ourselves for not being perfect, even as we strive for excellence in our professional and personal lives, is a requirement for this journey. No there is no "arrival," but along the way, forgiveness paves sa...

This "Kosher Pretzel" meditation is a way in towards the peace of your soul. Our ability to love deeply, forgive and connect others is absolutely reliant on our ability to love deeply, forgive and connect with our selves. The best work on the crucial role of self-compassion can best be fond through the work of Kristin Neff, check it out at https://self-compassion.org/

This meditation was recorded on the Shabbat of Chanukah, 2018 but its a meditation for the whole year round. How do we learn from the lessons of Chanukah, when we light more light each day, than the day before, giving in to our hope for more light for all.

Meditation- Becoming Ourselves by Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss

Rabbi Scott's sermon from this past Shabbat encourages us to dig just a little bit below the surface of our tradition to discover the ethical principles on which Judaism is based and without which it cannot breathe. Take these few minutes to listen and be reminded of what Passover is really all about.

Chanukah tells the tale of the miracle of the oil lasting 8 times as long as it "was supposed to." When we believe that the things we need are always fleeting, our fear of scarcity overwhelms our ability to stand in the truth of what we truly have. This meditation focuses our mindfulness on expanding the sensation and deepening the experience of what we have, such that it lasts maybe even 8 times...

On Shabbat evening, November 10, 2017, Congregation Shma Koleinu gathered to offer prayers for healing for Sutherland, TX. It was beautiful and I am so grateful for all who joined us. We have now sent the recording of this healing service to Pastor Frank Pomeroy of First Baptist Church in Sutherland. Here it is.

Rabbi Scott Hausman-Weiss addresses the overwhelming number of tragedies that we are experiencing as of late and how to deal with them from a Jewish perspective.

Join Rabbi Scott for a discussion about the Book of Life and what it really means.

Gratitude is the Thing meaning it all begins and ends here. Gratitude isn't just a kind gesture or compliment. Its the tool required in order to be aware that our blessings in our lives are blessings.

Join Rabbi Scott as he discusses his experience with Jewish Summer Camp and why it's a life changing experience for children and families.

In his most recent podcast, Rabbi Scott discusses an evermore divided Israel, and how, as progressive Jews, we can cope with these current issues.