Rabbi Bruce's Reflections on Life

Dear Friends and Family, As we celebrate Shabbat in the week that we commemorated MLK Day, I wanted to share some meaningful quotes from Dr. King Jr which I believe provide us some guidance for challenges with which we are dealing in our world today. First of all, Mahalia Jackson encouraged Dr. King to talk about his dream when he gave the iconic "I Have A Dream Speech."  He departed from his prepared text at one point and the rest is history.  I personally think that perhaps Mahalia's advice is important for all of us to consider.  We have our prepared speeches and thoughts about contemporary  issues ranging from the Middle East to Presidential politics.  Perhaps it is time for us to think about what our dreams are.  I believe that each of us share a dream for a more peaceful world and a world where people can talk to each other.  If I was adapting sections of the "I Have A Dream Speech" for today's world I would make the foll...

  Dear Friends, As we usher in the New Year, we celebrated by going to see the Musical "Frozen."   I was intrigued and challenged by the lyrics from the following song.  Please note the highlighted sections.  (see below). When I think about the personal challenges that people face and the societal issues that the world is wrestling with, I believe that there is wisdom in "letting it go."  In Judaism, we call "letting it go" teshuvah or repentance or making changes in our lives. I wonder how many of us can really make changes and let things go.  As I get older I see how difficult it can be to let certain things go. I also wonder whether we all hold grudges or have perspectives that we just can't relinquish.  As a teenager, my dad gave me a quote that was attributed to Eddie Robinson, a football coach at Grambling State University  who said "the key to success is the ability to adapt." Perhaps his message and the message of the song from "...

 Dear Friends, As we conclude 2023 and conclude the reading of the Biblical narrative about Joseph, we read that Joseph finally reveals his identity to his brothers. Rabbinic commentaries discuss the reason for Joseph's decision to  tell  his brothers that "I am Joseph, is our father still alive?"  His brother Judah gives a remarkable speech where he discussed their father and Joseph's younger brother Benjamin. I believe  that something about the passion with  which Judah  spoke, moved Joseph to tears and to reconnect with his brothers.  Despite what his brothers had done to him when they  threw him in  a pit, Judah's speech shows that that at least, Judah, had changed. As we conclude 2023 and think  about our own capacity for change, I hope that one of our  New Year's resolutions will be to be willing to accept that people can change and that part of being human is growing and evolving. Too  often we only remember things ...

 Dear Friends, In a world that needs a dose of hope, I hope  you  will read the following with which some of you  will  be familiar.  (See below) It is a reminder that if we are willing to see, believe, and internalize the message,  then in fact, Santa Claus does exist and we can celebrate joy in our world.  You better watch out and better not pout since then Santa won't leave you a special gift and we will be exiled to another year of coal in our stockings. I hope that all  of us enjoy a wonderful holiday season and a  more peaceful 2024, filled with happiness, hope,  love, generosity, and devotion. B'shalom, Rabbi Bruce Aft Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus Dear Editor — I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O’Hanlon Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the...

  Dear Friends, As we celebrate the seventh night of Chanukah I wanted to share a couple thoughts about religious freedom. I wonder how many of us feel that we are really free to express our opinions about key issues facing Jews and Israel..  Many  of us are concerned about antisemitism and we are aware of the increase in acts of antisemitism in today's world. What I want to write about is whether we are allowing each other to be free to express diverse opinions.  We know that families and friends are facing crises in their relationships because of social media posts and other statements about current conditions in Israel today. As I think about these challenges, I have turned to the lyrics from Light One Candle by Peter, Paul, and Mary. Please note the lyrics below and particularly those that are in red.  (Btw, you may  want to search for a link to listen to them sing the song.  It is very nostalgic for those of us who gr...

 Dear  Friends, I wanted to write a brief note on this important day.  It may be among  the most memorable days from my childhood. Nov. 22, 1963 we were dismissed from school when  President Kennedy was shot. I  walked home and my mom was not surprised that I was home. I  walked in right as (I think this is correct)  that Walter Cronkite said that the President was dead.   My mom  was sitting on a purple chair and was watching  our old black and white television set.  The most memorable part was that my mom was crying....It was the first of only a couple of times that I remember her crying.  The other time I remember her crying  was when a close friend was diagnosed with cancer. These things stay with us.  The  tears from Nov. 22, 1963 stay with me for a number of reasons.   Who knew that era which is referred to as Camelot, was about to end?  Although  history may record the  Kenned...

  Dear Friends, As we think about our Thanksgiving rituals I am indebted to a friend who suggested that at their Thanksgiving table, they will have an empty chair  to remind them of a hostage in Gaza whose family has no idea if they are alive.  As I write this there are negotiations to free some of the hostages but none of us knows how or if this will  happen at this time. In thinking about this empty chair to remind us about the hostages, I hope that none of us will become hostage to social media sites and other news reports that lead us deeper and deeper into echo chambers.  I believe that all who are reading this believe that terrorism is horrible and that the acts that occurred on Oct. 7 were tragic. I also believe that all those reading this article believe in the value of the dignity  of every human being.  None of us want innocent people to die and my fervent prayer is that civilians will not continue to pay  the price for leaders who pract...