Blogs

When writer and journalist Charles M. Blow published his memoir eleven years ago, he called it “Fire Shut Up In My Bones.”  In spite of my admiration of his work, I confess I haven’t read the book yet.  But the intense, enigmatic title has always stayed with me.  That’s what our best writers and thinkers do – give our world back to us with portrayals we sometimes understand immediately—and...Read more...

A few months ago, a new friend of mine and I parlayed our love of children’s and young adult literature into a book club.  With a few like minded people we know, spanning East Coast to West, we call ourselves “Retro Readers.”  Once a month over zoom, we talk about the books that played such an important in making us who we have become.  Next on our list is a treasure by Natalie Babbit called Tuck...Read more...

Dear TBD Family,

In addition to the superlative writing of Rebecca Abbate, who shares the privilege of contributing Shabbat-to-Shabbat messages with me, this page affords the opportunity for other members of our synagogue to write a weekly D’var Torah or reflection.  Elaine Shapiro, one of the chairs of Adult Education, contributes her piece this week.  I hope you’ll...Read more...

Ten days ago, the Central Conference of American Rabbis – a national organization for Reform Rabbis and the principles our movement holds dear – issued the following statement.  It feels important to share with our Jewish community as we grapple not only with the multiple facets of our identities, but also with frightening, unprecedented times.  In a world that seems to be spinning faster and faster, my...Read more...

Last weekend, millions of Americans took to the streets, assembled around this unapologetic rallying cry. In that simple message, one can find a myriad of pressing concerns: attacks on freedom of speech and of the press, massive federal layoffs, sweeping cuts across the government and environmental policies with potentially catastrophic consequences around the globe, tariffs poised to cripple the...Read more...