Back in April 2024, I emailed Cantor Vera Broekhuysen asking for a copy of a resource she’d created listing all the names of God in Congregation Beth El’s siddur. My cat got in the way while writing the email, so I included a little … Read the rest
The rain in July — in Tammuz, in Av — comes like a crescendo ahead of Elul and all that follows. Rain reminds me of teshuvah for some reason. Perhaps as a metaphor or stand-in for teshuvah itself — rain reminds me of repenting, for the … Read the rest
When I stand still and open up my eyes,I see the sounds of life that fill the trees.I see each blade of grass that softly sighs.And suddenly, I dance with grace, with ease.
I race the breeze. I chase away the clouds.The world itself spins round inside of me.I’m not … Read the rest
Teshuvah is returning to our original holiness, said a rabbi I once knew, when we have missed the mark. The journey back from extreme states, those sometimes called mental illness, is one of relearning how to live on … Read the rest
It is so hot outsideI keep trying to peel off layers of my skin Anything to get cool Anything to escape.Even the Hudson River looks refreshing In heat as tantalizing as this one.
Tattooed on the handOf the guy on the bus It says: “Don’t become a Victim of your … Read the rest
Summer faded slowly that year, like a sunflower bowing its heavy head. I reminded myself to enjoy the meandering of mind, the swooning of soul.
I waited for you, I whispered to Summer. At times, the chilled air of waiting stung my cheeks pink and cocooned me in my … Read the rest
As I sat with words of prayer, a chipmunk raced toward me along the pathway,stopped a foot in front of me,looked all around, then in the blink of an eye swiveled and raced off the way it had come.
Had you suddenly realized you had forgotten something, little chipmunk? Had … Read the rest
אהבת עולם
הרב לואיס פוליסון
מוצאי ט׳׳ו בְּאָב תשפ״ו
נורת’המפטון, מסצ’וסטס
אדמות ילידיות של שבטי הניפמאק, הפוקומטאק, והנאָונוטוק
באַגַּן הַסַּהַר
אחרי הגשם והשמש
שרנו שירי אהבה
אהבת חסד
אהבת האדמה
אהבת העולם
תשובת היהודי
תשובת כל אדם
הוא לחזור לשורשים
כי עָפָר מִן־הָאֲדָמָה אנחנו
עם נִשְׁמַת חַיִּים
נשמת השכינה
הופכים, … Read the rest
Turning
Twice each day the sea — the scarred lungs of our planet — advancesbreathing out to erase the sins visited on the shore
Twice each day the searecedesbreathing in to offer forgivenessa chance to begin anew
Twice each day the sea upholds the Promisethat the waters will never againovertake the land… Read the rest
EUTIERRIA (Home Sweet Home)
An augury whispered at dawn, “You’ll see what your ancestors mean.” I nigh shrugged it off as unbidden, And heeded with cur’osity.
In the yard, morning sun graced my back Yet a half-smile soon fell at the sides — For something awry lent a fright, Gave … Read the rest
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