The gematria for the Hebrew word for snow, שלג (sheleg), is 333, which is the same value of the word שכחה (shich’cha) for forgetfulness. Parents of children out of Maine schools for two, possibly three days, may be worried about forgetfulness when it comes to academics. Some rabbi, and I’m never going to remember the source,
A few years ago, I read a book about the origin of Hanoten Teshua, the traditional Jewish prayer for government.1 The evolution of this prayer or even the evolution of Jewish prayers for nation, is clearly linked to the Jewish experience in Diaspora. This prayer, of course, even though in rare liturgical use by the majority
I think that if the beast who sleeps in man could be held down by threats—any kind of threat, whether of jail or of retribution after death—then the highest emblem of humanity would be the lion tamer in the circus with his whip, not the prophet who sacrificed himself. But don’t you see, this is
The family took a trip to Rockland today. One of the marvelous things about living where we do is that we’re technically “Mid-Coast,” and so much of the tourist trap Maine coast is day-trip accessible. On our way out of our driveway, something cast a pall over the rest of the day. A blue Great
In working on my book about “kosher” backpacking, one thing stands out – Judaism isn’t really big on the outdoors. Even Sukkot, which to me screams “outdoor holiday,” is commoditized and safely packaged, even among the Ultra-Orthodox. Sure, there’s camp, but take your kids to one, and it’s not about outdoor adventure. It’s about Zionism,
“…a regular snowstorm has commenced, fine flakes falling steadily, and rapidly whitening all the landscape. In half an hour the russet earth is painted white even to the horizon. Do we know of any other so silent and sudden a change?” Thoreau Leah and I decided to rename our property עץ קר, or “cold tree”,
Hempfield School District in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, made national news recently, and not in a good way. Before I continue, both of my parents, my uncles, my aunts, most of my cousins, all graduated from Hempfield School District. My nephew presently is a student in the district. Many of my friends, non-Jewish and Jewish alike,
A number of friends have, more than likely with good intentions, posted a viral social media message with a suicide hotline attached. I won’t repost it. To me it’s representative of the detached engagement we have from our fellow humans in spite of our “connectedness.” Our generic ministrations only highlight the lack of an immediate,
Amelia and I undertook our first real serious Maine hike together over Thanksgiving weekend. We went to Sears Island, walked along the shoreline, and talked about the deep things that Amelia likes to let out on long hikes. This is an amazing honor roll student. This is a kid that is already formulating her plans
I posted this on social media: …I don’t want anything after Tuesday anyway. I want everyone to think about these kids putting on the uniform now, for the first time. They’re so proud, so eager to serve this nation. In the wake of this divisive election, while we’re still talking about bigotry and stupidity, kids
Writer, President of Bangor's Congregation Beth Israel, retired soldier, programmer, father, musician, Heeb, living in the woods of Maine with three ladies and a dog. Brian is also a rabbinical student with the Pluralistic Rabbinical Seminary.
Director of Education for Congregation Beth Israel in Bangor, Maine, runs joint religious school with our sister congregation, special educator and former school board member, mother to Avi and Nezzie.
