Our writer this week is Debra Seltzer. I can think of few more qualified to speak about Yesod, the sephirah dedicated to strong foundations. Debra is one of our longest-standing members and served many years on our Board, including as its Chair. In that role and all other leadership she provides our community, Debra lends Read More
Tag: Jewish Columbus
Omer Offerings 5786 – Week 2: Gevurah
This week’s offering comes to us from a relatively new, strong voice in our community. Aaron’s level of learning about Judaism is mind-bending. And his enthusiasm and capacity to share what he knows with others is truly a gift from the heart. That spirit flows through the writing below, carrying us seamlessly from Chesed, which Read More
Celebrating Our First Adult B’nei Mitzvah
To quote Rabbi Jessica, “HOLY WOW!” The first adult b’nei mitzvah in the 20 year history of our community was truly awesome. Traditionally Jewish children become bar or bat mitzvah at the age of 12 or 13, marking their recognition in the community as adults, ready to perform the mitzvot (often translated in our wisdom Read More
Sukkat Shalom: Our Island of Sanity
When a complex system is far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos have the capacity to shift the entire system to a higher order.” – Ilya Prigogine, Nobel Prize-winning chemist A few weeks ago I saw an article hanging on a community bulletin board titled: “Creating an Island of Sanity Read More
With Hope and Intention
“Preschool in my Wisconsin town planted seeds in the sidewalk cracks.”Credit: reddit user sunflower53069 For the past few years, I’ve been feeling grateful for all the moments in the Jewish calendar dedicated to renewal and rededication. Not because I think it’s important to believe or do certain things in order to be a “good Jew,” Read More
Charting Our Path Through the Wilderness
NOTE: The following is an edited version of notes shared during the Kehilat Sukkat Shalom fall community meeting in November. KSS members gathering twice a year, fall and spring, to connect on organizational business. These notes set the stage for our 20th anniversary and plans for a thriving future. 20 years ago, the founders of Read More
Connecting Through Deep Time
The author in her grandma’s lap, with three generations of matriarchs (Miami Beach, 1976) Growing up in a Conservative congregation, I wasn’t allowed to attend yizkhor on Yom Kippur. The special memorial service occurs four times each year – Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret (at the end of Sukkot), Passover, and Shavuot. My parents adhered to Read More
Meet Léah Miller: Our 5786 High Holiday Spiritual Leader
This fall, Kehilat Sukkat Shalom will proudly welcome another student of Jewish spiritual leadership to guide us through the High Holy Days. Over the past five years, our Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur prayer services and social gatherings have been enhanced by the presence of these guests who bring new ideas and unique perspectives on Read More
Finding Our People Across Time and Space
Preamble: I started writing this post in November 2024, in the wake of an election that’s left many of us feeling fearful about the future. I intended it to be an alternate narrative for the times. I am finishing it in February 2025 when many of our fears are coming to fruition. While the daily Read More
Looking Back on the 5783 High Holiday Days of Awe
We did it! Our small but mighty kehilah made it through another round of High Holy Days of Awe. Thank you to everyone who lent a hand in this year’s celebrations. From those who organized and participated in leading services to those who organized meals, those who rolled the Torah into place and those who Read More