Reflections on a Different Mourning Process – Guest Post by Rachel Honeyman
Rachel Honeyman, a talented writer and social media maven, has written the following piece, reflecting on mourning her brother’s death. It is a potent reminder to those of us in the rabbinate and in all branches of communal service, that responding to loss is a highly individual path. We need to remind those we serve that no two mourning processes will look alike. My thanks to Rachel for allowing me to post her very personal thoughts. Six months ago, my brother died. It feels strange...
Read MoreSupervision, Coaching and Mentoring in 3 Words
I’ve spent years as a supervisor, a mentor and a coach. And before that, a good number of years learning how to be each of the above. Over those years, I have learned from some of the finest supervisors, mentors and coaches. I have devoured books on each of those subjects. After all is said and done, I have distilled my approach in each area to three words: Towards What End? That question is as the core of my supervisory, coaching and mentoring conversations. Towards What End are you...
Read MorePlaying Jewish in a Major Key
In reflecting on our family’s Seder for the first night of Passover, I wonder about the reaction of special guests: an African-American minister friend and his family. Oh, I know the Hebrew didn’t throw them much; the minister has been studying Hebrew with me and learning Tanach at Jewish Theological Seminary. And the singing certainly wasn’t a new idea; I listen to his church choir practice next door as we study together in another room of the church. What I was (and am)...
Read MoreWishing you a Happy Pesach
כָּל דִּכְפִין, יֵיתֵי וְיֵיכוּל; וְכָל דִּצְרִיךְ, יֵיתֵי וִיפַסַּח All who are hungry, come and eat. All who need, come and partake of the Passover offering. With these words, the Passover Seder begins the story of the retelling of the Exodus from Egypt. Before joining in the festive meals, we invite those who are hungry to join us. Before we join in the ritual, we invite those who are in need to join in the ritual with us. Two...
Read MoreConnectivity: The Goal of Jewish Learning Today
This article appeared in The Jewish Educator Winter 2013/5773 HOT TOPIC: Is content or connectedness more important to Jewish identity today? JEWISH CONNECTIVITY: THE GOAL OF JEWISH LEARNING TODAY by Arnold Samlan When I began my career, the primary focus of Jewish learning was content mastery. One could master Tanach, Talmud, Hebrew literature, Jewish history. Our metrics for success were longitudinal outcomes: graduates’ memberships in campus life and in adult synagogues, future support of...
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