Rabbi Address’ new book, Seekers of Meaning
Rabbi Richard Address has devoted his career to helping transform synagogues into caring communities. Now, in his most personal work to date, he explores how the notion of a caring community can be transformative for individuals, particularly baby boomers struggling with issues of aging and mortality.
To order this book, click here.
Category Archives: D’vrei Torah
Exile and Love
The Torah cycle we are in now speaks of the beginnings of the journey for the Israelites from Egypt into the wilderness. The “routine” of wondering has set in and, despite the awesome aspect of Sinai, the Israelites still find … Continue reading
Posted in D'vrei Torah
Tagged boomers, exile, Exodus, love, middle age, relationships, wandering, wondering
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A New Year’s Challenge … for God
I am in the middle of a fascinating new book by Eric Weiner entitled Man Seeks God (New York Times book review). I stumbled across Mr. Weiner as a result of a New York Times op-ed piece that he wrote in … Continue reading
Lighting the Lights of Our Souls
This month, as many of you know, brings Hannukah. It is a curious and problematic festival that, while minor in the grand scheme of Jewish calendar festivals, has become “major” here in the USA. The annual excess of buying has … Continue reading
Rituals of Transition
The High Holidays are over and the year has begun–in earnest. The pace of life has returned and “routine” has ben re-established. Yet, for most of us the routine is that there is no routine.
God’s Eternal Question
With the ending of Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur, the Jewish calendar focuses on the first of our three Festivals, Sukkot. The symbol of the fragile dwelling place, the sukkah, is increasingly popular. More and more people build their own and … Continue reading
Posted in D'vrei Torah
Tagged evolution, growth, high holy days, Rosh Hashana, sukkah, Sukkot, yom kippur
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The call of the month of Elul
Shalom. This month is a special one within the Jewish calendar. Elul begins. This is the last month of the Jewish year and in it, we are asked to slowly prepare our souls for the coming High Holidays. The pace … Continue reading
Posted in D'vrei Torah
Tagged elul, high holidays, high holy days, rosh hashanah, unetaneh tokef, yom kippur
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Once again, the power of community
There are many clubs, so to speak, that we become part of during our lifetime. Channeling Groucho Marx, however, I just joined one that I had no desire to join. That is, as the literature describes it, the orphan club. … Continue reading
Posted in D'vrei Torah, Jewish Baby Boomers, Reflections on Aging
Tagged death, eldercare, mourning, orphan, parent, shivah
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Carly Simon was right: These are ‘the good old days’
Let me be up front and say that I enjoy Woody Allen films. That being said, let me urge you to drop what you may be doing and go out and see his new one, Midnight in Paris. … Continue reading
Posted in D'vrei Torah, Reflections on Aging
Tagged anticipation, carly simon, future, good old days, memories, midnight in paris, past, present, remembrance, reminiscence, woody allen
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Spirituality and Nature
Going out into nature can be a transforming experience. If you’re willing to give yourself over to being in a natural setting or wilderness environment, free from the distractions of our usually busy lives, extraordinary things can happen. See larger … Continue reading
Posted in D'vrei Torah, Thought Pieces
Tagged argentina, brazil, iguazu falls, jungle, nature, spirituality, wilderness
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The Community of Care
Just off the red-eye from Seattle, Washington. A beautiful city with wonderful people. I was in Seattle for some of my Union for Reform Judaism work on our project on aging and baby boomers and spent Sunday with the Jewish … Continue reading
Posted in Care-Giving Concerns, D'vrei Torah, Jewish Baby Boomers, Reflections on Aging
Tagged care-giving, community, dignity, quality of life
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