Temple Beth El, Stamford CT Shabbat Terumah March 4 2017 * 6 Adar 5777 Shabbat Shalom. Rabbi Josh, Matt, Stuart and the Men's Club – thank you for your warm welcome and for inviting me this morning. I'm delighted to be with all of you today. I'm here as co-chair of ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish… Continue reading Jewish Renewal, our Judaism, and parashat Terumah
Author: velveteenrabbi
R. Rachel Barenblat has been blogging as the Velveteen Rabbi since 2002.
In a lonely world, virtual gatherings can provide comfort
Jennifer was in Florida mourning her mother's death. Friends and colleagues were literally around the globe – from Israel, to all four continental U.S. time zones, to New Zealand. Geographically so far away, what could we do? Enter the Internet of Compassion. We met by video, at a time corresponding to Florida evening (Israel wee… Continue reading In a lonely world, virtual gatherings can provide comfort
Truth and Consequences
There's the old TV game show "Truth or Consequences," and the New Mexico city by that name, originally named for the eponymous NBC radio show. But how about "Truth and Consequences"? This week's Torah portion (Mishpatim, or "Judgments") is named for Torah's first major description of civil and criminal laws. On the heels of Sinai,… Continue reading Truth and Consequences
Who is Worthy to Lead: The Torah of Modern Politics
This week’s Torah portion (Yitro) offers a key lesson for today’s politics. It comes just before the fateful Ten Commandments scene at Sinai. Moses father-in-law, Yitro, teaches his son-in-law how to delegate power and – even more importantly – who is worthy to lead. I first experienced this teaching, without fully realizing it, while a… Continue reading Who is Worthy to Lead: The Torah of Modern Politics
The value of acknowledging misperceptions
Here’s a true story about false impressions – and the wisdom (and holy risk) of voicing them aloud. In my day job, I preside in hundreds of judicial proceedings. I take seriously a judge’s ethical duty to avoid partisan politics, so that all can feel that they get a fair shake. For this reason, I don’t… Continue reading The value of acknowledging misperceptions
Coming and Going
Einstein's Theory of Relativity and this week's Torah portion (Bo, or "Come!") – named for a word seemingly gone wrong – have something in common. First the Torah, then the Theory: "God said to Moses: Come to Pharaoh, for I freighted his heart and the heart of his court, so I can display My signs among them, and… Continue reading Coming and Going
How to Be a “Player” in Jewish Life
What does it take to be a “player” in Jewish life? No, not that kind of “player.” I mean, what does it take to be a responsible and influential participant in the Jewish communal life you want? It’s a provocative question – and it’s supposed to be. The answer puts you (yes, you) – not just… Continue reading How to Be a “Player” in Jewish Life
Prayer for the Musmachot
These are the names of the daughters of Israel Who came into the womb of narrow unknowing Each with her household, to be rebirthed anew, Called by name at the moment of becoming No less than the stars that shine in their time By which to count a promised people of light. Birthing took time,… Continue reading Prayer for the Musmachot
The Light Behind the Darkness of a Holocaust Survivor’s Story
It was December 25, 2016 – Christmas Day and Chanukkah. Volunteers gathered with local seniors to sing songs, serve holiday foods and feed some who couldn’t feed themselves. Like the jelly-filled doughnuts we rolled from chair to chair on a distribution cart, the scene was simple and sweet – a chance to give back during… Continue reading The Light Behind the Darkness of a Holocaust Survivor’s Story
Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes
David Bowie's 1972 classic touched a national nerve. Change is inevitable: we can only "turn and face the strain." (Others quote Bowie's refrain as "turn and face the strange," to similar effect.) Soon the 45th President of the United States will take office amidst social and political upheaval. Many either acclaim or fear this changing of… Continue reading Ch- Ch- Ch- Changes
Saying No to Silencing: The Jewish Duty to Speak Out
Spirituality is biography. Jewish spirituality and Jewish biography both demand a duty to speak out, reject silencing, and stand up against any power that would silence another. Such is the call of Chanukkah and this moment of meaning for Jewish life. I come with skin in the game. As a judicial officer, my state’s judicial ethics code bans me… Continue reading Saying No to Silencing: The Jewish Duty to Speak Out
I Have a Dream
If you're a dreamer (we all are), read on: this post is about you. "I have a dream." With these words, dreamer Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. propelled the American nation along the arc that bends toward justice. With these same words, in this week's Torah portion (Vayeishev), dreamer Joseph propelled Jewish history along the… Continue reading I Have a Dream
Wrestling in the Dark Night
The human mind is a marvelous machine – always scanning and planning. Among the mind's "programs" is worst-case thinking, wrestling to assert control over potential threats. Maybe you do this: I know I do. A delayed diagnosis could be an incurable disease! A work mistake could cost my job! An encounter could ruin a relationship! If we're honest, we might… Continue reading Wrestling in the Dark Night
The Cosmic “Why Me?”
If you or someone you love ever suffered, you probably asked why. "Why me" is a constant echo in history and the human psyche – and it doesn't matter whether the echo is spoken aloud or asked silently within. The human heart wants to know why, even if the mind knows that there's no knowing… Continue reading The Cosmic “Why Me?”
(Thanks)giving — A Thanksgiving for the Rest of the Year
Happy Thanksgiving! For many, Thanksgiving gathers us with family and friends, inviting us to reflect gratefully on our blessings. For others, Thanksgiving can be a day of quiet despair and even shame for those who don’t feel grateful and festive. Like all holidays, Thanksgiving espouses values that resonate during the rest of the year. Its deeper… Continue reading (Thanks)giving — A Thanksgiving for the Rest of the Year
Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
DVAR TORAH Pardes Hannah Ann Arbor, Michigan November 12, 2016 Shabbat shalom. Rabbi Rachel and I are delighted to be with you as visiting family from ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal. I've wanted to visit Pardes Hannah since I became Reb Elliot's student back in the year 1845 – really just seven years ago – but I… Continue reading Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
The Day After
The glass shattered. We can't stay: we've already been ejected from our land, the place that made us, our ancestral home. We don't know where we're going or how we'll get there. Today physically may look much the same as yesterday, but nothing is the same. We already left. We don't know where we're going… Continue reading The Day After
What’s in a Name?
Odds are good that you know your names. You received one or more names at birth, and maybe you changed name at marriage, divorce or another formative moment. Maybe you also have one or more nicknames, private terms of endearment with a partner or friend, childhood monikers, familial titles ("Mom," "Uncle," "Grandma"), and professional… Continue reading What’s in a Name?
Vote Your Privilege
Odds are that you're a U.S. citizen with many privileges, including the privilege to vote. (And if you're Jewish, your privilege to vote also is a mandate to vote: under Jewish law, you have a duty to vote – and here's my teshuvah proving it.) There's more I want to say about Election Day, but don't ask me… Continue reading Vote Your Privilege
Spiritual Hangover: Coming Down From the Mountain
Here’s a one-question pop quiz, and everyone gets an “A.” Now that this year’s Jewish High Holy Days are done, which of the following four statements most accurately describes how you feel? a. Huh? What’d I miss? b. Thank goodness! I’m so done. c. Wow! I feel refreshed and renewed. d. What a… Continue reading Spiritual Hangover: Coming Down From the Mountain
David Evan Markus 