This week, I gathered with our affinity group for attorneys. Thirty-five of us began our morning with Talmud study. What better way to begin a day? We learned a section from Tractate Nedarim that permits taking false vows (under certain circumstances) to murderers, robbers, or tax collectors. One rabbi objects, based on the halakhic concept …
Babble-and a concert invite! “The same thing happened to us in advanced English!” Dafna- Age 11 We were waiting for the bus and my daughter was discussing the previous day’s early dismissal with a neighbor’s daughter due to that “storm” that never came. She didn’t feel any compunction about mentioning her class’ advanced moniker and …
In 1953, Ethel and Julius Rosenberg went to their deaths in New York’s infamous Sing Sing prison, convicted of conspiring to commit espionage for the Soviet Union. Ethel’s execution was particularly horrific. After a first session in the electric chair failed to kill her, jailers strapped her back in to be electrocuted again. The executions …
I’m not a crier. But I remember the first anniversary was an emotional one. I was living in an apartment just a block from my old dorm, and I had the news switched on that morning, September 11, 2002. The music, patriotic and colored with sadness, soared behind a picture of an American flag as …
By Robin Jacobson. To Edmund de Waal, world-renowned ceramic artist and award-winning author, art objects are never just objects. They carry history, memories, and an uncanny power to stir emotion and action. As recounted in de Waal’s international bestseller, The Hare with the Amber Eyes, an inheritance of Japanese figurines – netsuke – launched de …
As many of you know, Sarah and I recently returned from an anniversary trip to Paris. Our 15th anniversary finally prompted us to visit the city of light, as its always been one of Sarah’s favorite places, not least of which because her birthday is on July 14th, Bastille day. When you’re only in Paris …
It has been a wonderful first week with Rabbi Deborah Megdal at shul. She only began this past Monday but has already been involved in countless Zoom meetings, informal coffees and introductions, and working with our incredible staff and leaders. Watch this video and we hope to see you at shul soon! Shabbat Shalom
By Robin Jacobson. If you catch yourself or see your child obsessively checking digital devices for messages, or living much of life online, M.I.T. Professor Sherry Turkle has some advice. Fortunately, it is not “get rid of the phone!” This renowned expert on digital culture will visit via Zoom on Sunday, October 3, at 4:30 …
When I was in high school, my history teacher taught us American civics, government, and all about our justice system. One particular class sticks out in my mind. It was typical in this advanced history class, for us to participate in class discussions, debating topics of the day and also various struggles of the American …
By Robin Jacobson. Historical fiction inhabits the sweet spot between history and fiction. It invites us to journey to the past and then return to our own time with new insights. For young readers (and for adventurous parents who are game for a “family book club”😊), here are three terrific, recently published historical novels. Set …
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