by RabbiOlivier | Dec 23, 2012 | Community, Events, General, Israel, Shabbat
Our last Friday in Israel might have been the cherry on top of our traveling cake. That morning, a few of us made our way to the Hebrew University atop Mount Scopus where I studied for a few years in the early 90’s. Our little group went to the Hecht Synagogue on...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 21, 2012 | Torah Reflections
Vayeishev Genesis 37:1 – 40:23 You Make a Difference Reuben is a character that is mostly overlooked in these weeks’ Torah portions dominated by the stories of Jacob and Joseph. Reuben is Jacob’s firstborn son, from his first wife, Leah. Technically,...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 20, 2012 | Community, Events, General, Israel
Do you know why Jana called her tour company “Kesem”? That’s because Kesem means “magic” in Hebrew, and she wanted to set the Kavanah—the intention—for the trips to Israel to be magical. This has been my third trip to Israel with Jana, and each one has been more...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 19, 2012 | Community, Events, General, Israel
Our plan was simple. We were going to stop in the Druze village of Peki’in mostly because it is connected to Kabbalistic mythology and because Jana had arranged for our group to experience Druze hospitality at a dinner that evening. Peki’in is connected to Kabbalah...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 16, 2012 | Community, General, Israel
Following our magical encounters yesterday, I wanted to continue practicing awe and letting myself be surprised by whatever was to arise for me today. In fact, I had made it part of my guiding through our morning meditation. It is amazing what can happen when we...