Rabbi Bruce's Reflections on Life

 Dear Friends, First of all, we pause to give thanks for the release of the living hostages yesterday and grieve for all those who  have died in the Middle East the past two years.  Although we are joyful, we are also cognizant of the pain of so many and so greet the ongoing news from the Middle East with many mixed emotions.  I recently facilitated a class at George Mason University where we all shared how we respond to grief.  At a Jewish wedding we are joyful and break a glass as even at the most joyful of events we are aware of suffering.  One phenomenon that all of us experience, no matter what our political views are, is that we all grieve for our losses.  May the days ahead be filled with more joy than sadness and may we all hold each other through the hard times and share the happy ones.   Last night I lit a yahrzeit (memorial) candle by myself for the first time since Sue passed away . Fortunately, one ...

 Dear Friends, We are in the intermediate days of the Festival of Sukkot which is referred to  as a time to be happy and rejoice....One of the symbols of this Festival is a Sukkah which reminds us of the huts or booths that our ancestors built in the wilderness.  They are meant to be strong enough to withstand the weather as we eat and spend time in them during Sukkot. As I write this there is a cease fire pending in Gaza, the hostages are supposed to be released, and there finally  may be an end to the suffering and war that has occurred during the past two years.  Our hopes and prayers are for a lasting peace and yet, I think we all realize the fragility  of any peace agreement. I want to speak about my current state of mind and heart as so many of you continue to  support me during my grief journey. Please note that this is the time of the year in which we read the scroll of Ecclesiates (also called Koheleth).  Chapter 3 should be familiar...

  Dear Friends, As we celebrate our day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, it will be six months since Sue passed away. One of you who has been regularly responding to my blogs,suggested that I have a conversation with Sue.  I am going to try... But first.... There is a wonderful story about a king who has a diamond that is perfect. As he shows it off, someone drops it.  Somehow it gets scratched and the king is distraught.  A number of craftspeople come in and try to fix the scratch.   Nothing seems to help. Finally, a craftsperson comes in and takes the scratch and turns it into a stem and etches a rose around the stem. The diamond becomes even more beautiful and the story teaches us that when life scratches us, we need to find ways to continue to let love and kindness bloom. As I remember Sue during our Memorial Service on Yom Kippur, I will always treasure the love that we shared    I hope and pray that those of you who knew Sue or who have learned about he...

 Dear Friends, You all have been companions with me for what next week will be six months since Sue passed away. Last week you received a message from Sue through me which I think she would have wanted to share if she was alive and was reading these blogs. I want to share my response as I continue to be blessed with so much support which I could have never imagined that I would receive. Yesterday, I was privileged to lead services for a congregation in South Carolina and together we made it through a very emotional Rosh Hashanah service.  When the Cantor (musical leader) chanted the Avinu Malkeinu which is a prayer which helps us relate to G-d as both parent and sovereign and is when we ask G-d to inscribe us in the book of life,  the tears were flowing. However, the most impactful part of those sacred moments while we were chanting the prayer (please see the attachment below which will give a sense of the spirituality of these heartfelt pleas and please search Avinu...

 Dear Friends, I hope you will forgive me but I needed to interrupt Bruce's blogs to share my message with him and you.   I loved Bruce more than anything and treasure all the time we were blessed with together.  But, I need to be honest here and Bruce, I hope you are listening.   I know you say you are existential and not a worrier.  Well, what if we compromise and we agree you are both.  And I know you remember on rare occasions, I would say to you that you said that already and actually would be annoyed with you. Well, I am going to say it now...You have said you are sad enough now.  We know this and I am also sad.  There is a difference, Bruce, between you and me.  I am not dwelling on the sadness...I am celebrating the joy. To those of you who are reading this, I hope you will forgive me for including some lyrics.  I guess being married to Bruce, quoting lyrics is contagious.  By the way, sometimes the fact that I really was a ...

 Dear Friends, I know I am cluttering your inbox, but as my brother has told me on a number of occasions after his wife died more than three years ago, he is lonely but never alone. Well last night the lonely meter went through the roof and I know when I write to you that so many of you care and I know I am not alone. So please forgive this blog about my spiritual wrestling match which you can certainly delete as you wish.  But, if you choose to read this, I welcome any guidance, advice, coping mechanisms, or support you can offer me.  It is a lonely morning although it will be filled with a number of activities today which will serve to keep me occupied and from moping too much. Last night was our Selichot services which are filled with prayers encouraging us to be forgiving.  I know that this first High Holiday season without Sue being alive will be tough but I guess I didn't realize just how tough it would be. Before the service the Cantor (musical and prayer lead...