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Memories of You and I

This is an original song I started writing during the height of the pandemic when Susan and I were driving to St Louis and I new this would be the last time I would see my mother.

#youtube #Rabbi Sandra #songwriter #maton guitars

Shavuah Tov! On this Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, let us take a moment to reflect on his powerful legacy and his unwavering commitment to nonviolent social change. King's tireless efforts to fight for the rights of Black people, poor people, and other marginalized communities have left an indelible mark on our society and continue to inspire us today. As we honor his memory, let us commit ourselves to work towards building a society that truly lives up to the ideals of equality and justice for all.

Let us remember King's statement, "The time is always right to do what is right." And strive to be courageous and do what is right in the face of any challenge and controversy. King also said, "Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle." This statement reminds us that we must actively strive for change and freedom and not be passive in the face of injustice and oppression.

Our Jewish values of "Hesed" - kindness and compassion towards others and "Kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh" - meaning all the Jewish people are responsible for each other, reinforces the idea of collective responsibility to care for and support one another, especially those who are marginalized. These values remind us that we are all interconnected and that our actions and attitudes toward others can significantly impact the world we live in.

As we reflect on the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and the ongoing fight for racial justice in America, let us remember that the work still needs to be done. Racism, bigotry, and discrimination still exist in our society, and it is up to each and every one of us to take action to dismantle it. Let us honor King's legacy by committing ourselves to the ongoing struggle for equality, justice, and true freedom for all people.

#MLK #Rabbi Sandra

Happy New Year

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Ruach haolam, shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, our God, Creator of Everything, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.

We offer this Shehecheyanu blessing to express gratitude for the opportunity to experience new things and to be able to start anew. It is a reminder to appreciate the present moment and to have hope for the future.

The other day I finished my vision board, and at the top, it says, "This is the Day," a nod to Psalm 118, "This is the day that God has made; let us rejoice and be for this day." Each and every day, a person should see themselves as if they are starting a new year

When the Holy One created the human being, God took the human and led the human around all the trees of the Garden of Eden and said to: Behold my works, how beautiful they are. All that I have created is within your domain. Take care, therefore, that you do not destroy My world, for if you do, there will be no one else to set it right after you. (Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13)

This Midrash teaches us that every person has the opportunity to make a positive impact on the world and that we have a responsibility to care for and protect the world that is given to us. It also suggests that we can make a fresh start and right any wrongs we may have committed.

May this new year bring you joy and happiness, health and prosperity, love and laughter. May it be a year of growth and discovery, a year of new beginnings and bright horizons. May you find peace and contentment in all that you do, and may you be surrounded by the love and support of those around you. Here's to a wonderful and beautiful new year!"

#Happy New Year #Judaism #rabbi sandra

Part I: Dare to Be Different A few years ago, while reading this week’s Torah portion, Vayeshev, I remember getting a random text message fr

My father encouraged me to be different. He also recognized that the world is not always kind to those who are different and encouraged me to be who I am.

My mother also told me never to let anyone tell me I couldn’t do something. You can do and be anything in this world you want to be. My parents were not perfect, but these messages have stuck with me.

#Torah #Rabbi Sandra

In the prayer book Kol Haneshama, the official prayer book for Reconstructing Judaism, the introduction to the Mourner's Kaddish (a prayer w

"Much of our experience of divine goodness, grace and love has come to us through those whose lives have touched our own." When I read this, I reflect on the gifts of love I have received from people who have left this earth.

#Rabbi Sandra