Dear Friend,
In my slippers, I am standing in my kitchen and sipping coffee as my 2 month old sleeps soundly, snuggled up on my chest in a soft sling. Life is good and sweet and covered in spit up inside of this little cocoon my wife and I have made.
Yet I am heartbroken, angry, disappointed, and scared like so many (if not all) of you. I have been wracking my brain about what I could possibly write about October 7 and the war that has followed in Israel/Gaza. I could blame my sleep deprived new-parent-brain but the truth is I’m just not ready to write anything of substance on Israel/Gaza, or Israel/Palestine more broadly. I fear nothing I have to say would be anymore helpful or insightful than the next guy. And in fact, since I’ve been on parental leave, I’ve been grateful to engage with this grief as a “Jew in the pew” as I like to say, and not as a professional or educator. You might call that a cop out – to some degree I consider it a cop out myself – but there it is.
So instead, in case you’re interested, I'll let you know about what I've been listening to on the topic:
1. For Heaven's Sake, a podcast out of the Shalom Hartman Institute
2. The Ezra Klein Show, a podcast out of the New York Times
3. Unorthodox, a podcast out of Tablet Magazine
Finally, I want to remind you that it’s not only okay but a good thing to listen to perspectives with which you disagree. It shows that you take learning seriously and that you are committed to reaching something as close to “truth” as possible. If you leave certain conversations or podcast episodes more convinced of your own ideas then fine – at least you tried to exercise your conclusions.
Torah asks us to stay humble and open and serious in our thinking. I ask that of you, too.
And now, onto Thanksgiving. The following is a post from last year for your holiday gathering:
3 Questions For Giving Thanks
“In Judaism, to be without questions is not a sign of faith, but a lack of depth.” — Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks
No matter how you feel about the holiday approaching tomorrow, it is undeniable that Thanksgiving is a fabulous prompt for reflection and gratitude. While there is nothing wrong with the tried and true question, What are you grateful for? (we ask it every Shabbat in our home), it can feel as open ended as going to the grocery store without a list. So, in the grand tradition of this humble publication, I bring you, a list!
This list is short and sweet. It is designed for adults with a bonus question that works great for kids. Pick one or all and no matter how you gather, enjoy some good conversation.
3 Questions For Giving Thanks
What is a book, song, or piece of art that has helped you heal?
Who is someone you may not want to thank, but need to thank?
What is a part of your body that you are grateful for? Why?
BONUS QUESTION (GOOD FOR KIDS): How many different people were involved in getting the meal you are enjoying to you today? (think: farmers, harvesters, truck drivers, grocery store clerks, cooks, etc…)
And if you love question conversation starters, here are other lists to jump into:
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