Ten days ago, I had the honor of leading our Kabbalat Shabbat service at the start of Elul, the current and final month of the year in the Jewish calendar. It’s been three or four years since I started serving as a lay leader in the kehilah, a role I never imagined I would take Read More
Author: Jodi Kushins
Meet Ev Evnen: Our 5785 High Holiday Spiritual Leader
This year, Kehilat Sukkat Shalom is proud to welcome a cantorial intern from ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal, to join us as a spiritual leader for the High Holidays. Our Rosh haShanah and Yom Kippur prayer services and social gatherings are enhanced by the presence of guest leaders who bring new ideas and unique perspectives Read More
The Jew in the Lotus @ 30 Years: KSS Book Club August Selection
In 1994 I was a sophomore at a liberal arts college happily exploring new religious and philosophical landscapes in courses like Comparative Religion, German Literature, and Cultural Geography 101. After a childhood in metro New York fully immersed in Conservative Jewish legacy institutions, I was ready for this infusion of fresh ideas. That same year, Read More
Holding Space for Deep Conversations on Israel/Palestine
Nothing about the ongoing conflict in Israel/Palestine or the historic and political context that gave rise to it is pleasant or easy to address. According to my daily email from the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, today is day 97. 97 days of this news cycle that has taken so many twists and turns – here at Read More
SPECIAL EVENT: Deepening Our Conversations on Israel & Palestine
Since October 7, it’s gotten harder and harder to have civil conversations about Israel & Palestine with people who don’t share our views. For some Jews the issues of the day are black and white, for many others they are a rainbow of grays. Either way, you’ve likely felt uncomfortable at some time since this Read More
Notes on Being a Moderate Jewish Leader in this Moment
– Jodi Kushins, KSS Board Chair I try not to start blog posts with excuses. I often type and then delete things like, “I’ve tried to start this post ten times.” On a typical day it would be boring and somewhat of a forgone conclusion. Writing is work – it takes time, it’s about starting Read More
Bereshit Barah Elohim: Look For Light In The Darkness
NOTE: This post was first circulated through our newsletter with related opportunities for gathering, learning, and reflecting in the first week following attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7. Bereshit barah elohim – In the beginning there was light that scattered throughout the world. Lately it feels like that light is hidden, but it is still Read More
Preparing for the 5784 High Holy Days of Awe: Week 7
Chesed: Channeling Love for Ourselves, Each Other, and the Worldby Debra Seltzer NOTE: This is the 7th and final post in a series written by KSS members linking social and environmental justice issues to the 7 sephirot of the Omer cycle. To read the past six posts, please check our blog archive. We have come to the last week of Read More
Preparing for the 5784 High Holy Days of Awe: Week 6
NOTE: This is the 6th in a series of posts written by KSS members linking social and environmental justice issues to the 7 sephirot of the Omer cycle. To read the past five posts, please check our blog archive. WEEK 6: Gevurah: May My Left Hand Share Its Cunning by Jan Leibovitz Alloy I don’t tweet. I don’t boast photos Read More
Preparing for the 5784 High Holy Days of Awe: Week 5
NOTE: This is the 5th in a series of posts linking social and environmental justice issues to the 7 sephirot of the Omer cycle. To read the past four posts, please visit our blog. WEEK 5: Tiferet: Opening to Beauty & Brokenness by Michelle Moskowitz Brown The light of Tiferet is strong, demanding, radiant. Notice colors this Read More