Today, Friday November 20, is Transgender Day of Remembrance. During Portland’s observance (last night on the eve of the day) we called the names of those who were murdered in the U.S. during this past year for no reason other than their transgender identity. We remember them, and mourn the loss of these irreplaceable ImagesContinue reading “Shabbat Toldot: Naming our Transgender Children”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
A Prayer for Healing in the Time of COVID-19
Source of Healing, help us find healing. We seek strength for our spirit, resilience that will carry us through this plague in peace. Compassion that saves us, Heal the body of everyone struckwith the threatening virus, and heal the souls of all who suffer. Remember those who have died. Heal us and we shall beContinue reading “A Prayer for Healing in the Time of COVID-19”
For Those Who Resist
dedicated to my comrades in our streets and those in our hearts For those who resist For those who plan and strategize For those who gather at a moment’s notice We give thanks For those who serve as witnesses For those who are civil and disobedient We give thanks For those who speak up atContinue reading “For Those Who Resist”
Shabbat Lekh-L’kha: Making Light in Darkness
(image: close up in Torah scroll of Genesis 1.4 ויבדל אלהים בין האור ובין החשך G*d divided between the light and the darkness.) Shalom Shir Tikvah learning community, It’s getting darker every day now. How shall we trust our footsteps when we can’t see them? Where is the light that will dispel this hoshekh, thisContinue reading “Shabbat Lekh-L’kha: Making Light in Darkness”
Shabbat Noakh: Time to be stiff-necked
Once upon a time I was asked, “Rabbi, who was it who first called the Jews ‘stiff-necked’? It seems anti-Semitic.” I had to laugh. “Well, actually, it was G*d, in Exodus 32.9.” It seems to be the one thing that friends, enemies, and HaShem all agree upon, from Biblical to Talmudic to much later daysContinue reading “Shabbat Noakh: Time to be stiff-necked”
Rosh HaShanah 5781
Shabbat Nitzavim/VaYelekh: Finding Firm Ground in all this Chaos
In all these years of finding good lessons and food for thought in our shared Torah study, we have faced many challenges together and sought their meaning for our lives as Jews. This Shabbat is no different. The chaos intensifies around us until we want to scream Dayenu! “It’s enough!” The plagues increase in number and inContinue reading “Shabbat Nitzavim/VaYelekh: Finding Firm Ground in all this Chaos”
Letter from Portland
First published in JewThink On the day I write this, we have witnessed 60 days of daily demonstrations in the streets of downtown Portland Oregon. After the murder of George Floyd by police, it was awe-inspiring to see myriads of thousands rise up across the US. Horrified by the blatant injustice, peaceful crowds in PortlandContinue reading “Letter from Portland”
Amidst Tragedy, a Vision of the Possible
It begins on the 9th of Av, if we are willing and able to answer the summons A time of national self-assessment for the Jewish people We are counting our way through the Three Weeks – and now the Nine Days – leading to Tisha B’Av. Tisha B’Av, which translates to “the 9th day ofContinue reading “Amidst Tragedy, a Vision of the Possible”
The Torah of Protest: Til The World Be Perfected
“You have been told what is good, and what HaShem requires of you: to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with the holy.” Micah 6.8 On the day I write this, we have witnessed 50 days of daily protests in the streets of downtown Portland Oregon. After the murder of George FloydContinue reading “The Torah of Protest: Til The World Be Perfected”
Torah for the 21st Century by Rabbi Ariel Stone 