The Poet Maggie Smith Makes This Place Beautiful

The Poet Maggie Smith Makes This Place Beautiful

Thank you Maggie Smith for joining me on my podcast! What now? I am out with lanterns, looking for myself. But here’s the thing about carrying light with you: No matter where you go, and no matter what you find—or don’t find—you change the darkness just by entering it. You clear a path through it…. My life is … Continued

My Chelm Story!!

By Hazzan Michael Stein Where to begin? This past Shabbes was a fantastic experience in every way!! Lighting Shabbat candles in the synagogue in Chelm, where there has not been a service for 80 years, was a humbling experience. As I explained the meaning of lighting Shabbat candles, the metaphor of bringing light again into … Continued

First Light of Hanukkah in Poland

By Hazzan Michael Stein The train from Krakow to Gdansk/Sopot/Slupsk was almost six hours, but the most comfortable ride ever. The US Infrastructure bill barely passed, which would provide an opportunity to upgrade our rail system. With food, drinks, internet, and electric outlets, the high-speed train outclasses anything we have in the US. I spent … Continued

The Gift of Kindness: 2020, COVID and Chanukah

I have always loved the stories about Chanukah when a small group of Maccabean soldiers were victorious against powerful King Antiochus and his Greek forces in 165 BCE . Magic happened after the fighting and while there was only enough oil left in the temple to light the lamps for one night, a miracle happened … Continued

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