by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 17, 2022 | Eikev, Free Will, God, Tests and Trials
I worked for a short period of time as an English teacher in an Israeli high school. I was not very good at it. I identified more with the students in the ongoing battle between the students and the school. One time, the head of the school forced me to give the kids...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 10, 2022 | Chosen Nation, Covenant, Devarim, God, Israel, Revelation and Prophecy
The annual month of reserve duty in the Israeli army brings together men from all segments of society who would typically not meet. But, since we are all dressed in green and depend on each other, we get along, accepting each other’s differences and accepting the duty...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2022 | God, Messiah, Mourning, Ninth of Av, Psalms, Redemption, Temple
Reading is magical. Reading can take you places you have never been and show you things you have never seen. It is almost as good as being there and reading fanatics know that in many ways, reading is better than watching a movie. It goes deeper. People who read the...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 4, 2022 | Devarim, God, Ninth of Av, Repentance, Tests and Trials
Tisha B’Av is one of the most intense days of the Hebrew calendar. A three week build-up, which ends with nine days of austerity, culminates in this day of crying and mourning. Every year, just before Tisha B’Av, Jews around the world read the Torah portion of Devarim...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 29, 2022 | Community, God, Happiness and Joy, Hebrew Language, Proverbs, Temple, Tests and Trials
The better hours of my adolescence were spent at Grateful Dead concerts. I made great friends and had a great time. But the main draw was, of course, the music. Tuned to the tempo of a heartbeat, the music was meant for slow dancing, swaying for hours. I loved...
by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 22, 2022 | God, Numbers, Shemini Atzeret, Sukkot
Last week was our anniversary and our kids threw us a surprise party. They invited all of our friends and brought in spectacular catering. It was amazing and the party went on until the early hours of the morning with the guests trickling away. The next morning, we...
