Posts Tagged ‘Congregation Sherith Israel-San Francisco’
OUR 51ST ANNIVERSARY
Following Tuesday’s presidential debate, CNN’s Dana Bash delivered a priceless assessment: “A shit show.” The culprit’s name ironically rhymes with rump. Now, covid-positive. So how about something more uplifting? Four weeks ago, Carolyn and I marked our 51st anniversary. Our celebration was a bit curtailed by the pandemic and covid tests. Not our happiness. Last…
Read MoreUNITED HOW?
I’m a citizen of the United States of America but have trouble defining United. As—when—the coronavirus pandemic winds down, how will Americans define the word? During Congregation Sherith Israel’s Zoom Shabbat service last Friday night, Rabbi Jessica Graf asked what will our country be like post-COVID-19. It’s a good bet we’ll be facing a great…
Read MoreDEFINING FAMILY
Two recent pieces in The New York Times speak to the new populism that threatens the United States. I find part of the solution within my family and my synagogue. David Brooks’ June 28 column “Revolt of the Masses” quoted David Vance, author of the book Hillbilly Elegy. Vance writes about the Kentucky and Ohio…
Read MoreSO WHAT WAS MOSES THINKING?
Last Saturday, I led Torah Study at Congregation Sherith Israel. We read Vayelech—which means and (Moses) went. This short portion presents the prophet’s last address—one more warning to forswear false gods—before the Israelites cross the Jordan River into Canaan. He is 120. He is about to die. He will be left behind. I wondered how…
Read MoreTWO WOMEN IN BLUE
I recently met two women I can associate with my favorite color, blue. The very different experiences pointed out the fragility of human nature and the ways in which our society struggles to achieve the ideal of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Last Friday night, I took the bus home after Shabbat services…
Read MoreMUSLIM IN AMERICA: PART ONE
Showtime’s Homeland offers something unusual this season. The CIA employs a young woman savvy in technology and banking to entrap a senior member of Iran’s intelligence service. The character Fara Sherazi (Nazanin Boniadi, born in Tehran, raised in London) is a Persian-American Muslim who wears a hijab—a headscarf. This Hollywood tale about Muslim bad guys…
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