Archive: January 2021

Butterfly in a semi-transparent Chrysalis

Transformation

Parashat Va’era
Posted on January 19, 2021

Dedicated to my cousin Haim Shtrum z”l As this past week’s disturbing events unfolded, shaking us to the core as a nation, we have much to think about, much to process. As Jews, we can look to Torah for some wisdom about this moment. This week we read from the book of Exodus, the beginning Continue Reading »

spiral of stained glass windows

Circling Back Home

Parashat Vayigash
Posted on December 25, 2020

Jacob’s long journey is culminating as the truth is finally revealed to him. His son Joseph is alive after all. Jacob is stunned. He has been in mourning for twenty years. Now, suddenly, the world as he knew it is turned upside down. Torah tells us that upon hearing the news of Joseph’s existence, Jacob’s Continue Reading »

YinYang

Hanukkah Torah

Hanukkah
Posted on December 13, 2020

Hanukkah, as we know, takes place at the darkest time of the year, not only because the days are the shortest of the year, with the least amount of sunlight available, but also because it falls in the last week of the lunar month. This is the time of the month with the least amount Continue Reading »

Moon over Water

Darkness and Dreams: The Month of Kislev

Kislev
Posted on December 6, 2020

The Moon of Kislev is just past full. Have you seen it?  A bright light amid the dark night. The days are still growing shorter but there is light amid the darkness. It is in fact the darkness that allows us to see the light more clearly. According to our traditions, this is the time of Continue Reading »

Weeping Tree

Parashat Vayishlah
Posted on December 4, 2020

This week’s parashah, Va’yishlah focuses on the homeward journey of Jacob and his family. This entire portion seems to swing widely between the poles of blessing and calamity. While the overt context of parashah focuses on Jacob’s inner and outward journeys, the feminine voices within the family are struck down through tragedy and death. Much as Jacob/Israel can be Continue Reading »

Thanksgiving Message from Rabba Kaya


Posted on November 24, 2020

Dear Friends, With both Thanksgiving and Hanukkah on the horizon, we are all surely struggling with anxiety and sadness over the safety of gathering together with family and friends. These are very difficult times and the specter of additional social isolation compounds our grief. In a recent Ministerium meeting of Seacoast-area clergy, we discussed the Continue Reading »

A Time to Embrace

A Time to Embrace

Posted on November 24, 2020

TIP was a proud sponsor and participant in this National Interfaith event for Healing and Reconciliation that took place on Sat. evening, Nov. 21st.  Rabba Kaya Stern-Kaufman was honored as one of the faith leaders selected to share a teaching as part of the Havdalah ceremony. The event was attended by over 1200 participants. You Continue Reading »

parashat hayei sarah jug of water pouring water

After the Trauma – Seeking Love

Parashat Hayei Sarah
Posted on November 17, 2020

After the trauma of the Akeida (the binding of Isaac onto the altar by his father Abraham) and after the death of Sarah, the Torah seeks out healing. The Torah seeks out the only possible path forward for healing: loving-kindness-hesed. It is the path of loving-kindness that will enable the survivors of trauma and loss to survive and Continue Reading »

Noah's Ark

Build for Yourself an Ark

Parashat Noach
Posted on November 4, 2020

In a world that has lost its way, a world in a which a violent storm is about to rage, G-d finds a righteous man and tells him: Make yourself an ark – עֲשֵׂ֤ה לְךָ֙ תֵּבַ֣ה  (Gen. 6:14). NoaH – נֹחַ whose name means “rest” is told to build an ark, a place of repose Continue Reading »

Phases of the Moon

From Regret to Repair

Elul
Posted on August 31, 2020

We have just entered the month of Elul- a time of preparation for the High Holidays. In this month it is customary to recite Psalm 27 each day. This psalm includes the familiar song Ahat Sha’alti. It also includes a phrase at the very end of the psalm beginning with the word lulei– which means:  if only. We all have Continue Reading »