As the Winter Olympics begin, I think about the athletes and their great feats of physical strength and commitment to daily preparation to achieve their goals. For my 50th birthday, I overcame 50 challenges that were new or adventurous and I was scared the whole time. The most amazing thing to me is that I … Continued
On Thanksgiving, I want to share my gratitude for Stephen Wise Temple where my family has found a spiritual home. During the recent dedication of Katz Family Pavilion and Shalom Garden, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback asked us: “How can we adequately give thanks for the countless blessings we acknowledge today?” He shared that in order to … Continued
Awe-inspiring Resilience on the Tiny Island of Rhodes Samantha Katz I have a bit of a fascination with tiny Jewish communities in unexpected places. I know it’s random, but it’s just my thing. Having grown up in the Northeast US, where I’ve always enjoyed freedom of religion and been surrounded by large Jewish communities, I’m … Continued
We looked for old people; we found them on a quiet road, standing near a well, ready to draw water. They were short, thin people; the woman wore a kerchief over her grey hair, accentuating the multitude of wrinkles on her face. She had a greying cloth apron over her top and skirt. The man … Continued
WATCH: Moseah Yeshuah Synagogue, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) September 29, 2012 Around 2pm we were off to visit the Moseah Yeshuah Synagogue at 85 26th Street. The man at the desk wanted to know, “Why do you want to go there?” George told him, “We are Jewish and Lisa’s friend, Ellen, knows Moses the caretaker. He … Continued
The Andalusia area of Spain takes its name from the Arabic Al-Andalus, reflecting seven centuries of Muslim rule beginning in the 7th century CE. However, this portion of southern Spain was likewise shaped by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Visigoths prior to the Moors, as well as the native Iberians, not to mention the Christians who … Continued
BOOK REVIEW: May This Be The Best Year of Your Life Sandra Bornstein faces choices: Will she stay in her home in Colorado alone or find a new job on another continent? Her husband’s new job requires him to live part time in India. She must make a decision that might rattle the rest of … Continued
A sunset at Falealupo, Savaii, Samoa. When I travel, I imagine that I am talking to strangers from a different culture and that I witness different lives to learn about those same lives, but in reality I always reach hidden treasures; insights into my own reality and dreams. Sometimes the action of travel teaches me … Continued