Rabbi Address’ Monthly Message

For D’var Torah of the month

Rabbi Address' Monthly Message

Reflections on the world through different sets of eyes

July 22, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 1

It is a challenge to stay informed. These last weeks, the daily addiction of watching and reading the news has become so much more difficult. From ISIS channeling Torquemada. to the latest chapter in the [Read more…]

Rabbi Address' Monthly Message

Taking the measure of life

June 30, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 0

I read with some interest a brief piece in the current AARP Magazine on the growing trend for activity trackers. (AARP June/July 2014. ) These are little bracelets that can track your daily movements. It [Read more…]

Rabbi Address' Monthly Message

A brief reflection on moving on…transitions are a challenge!

June 5, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 1

Well, after 42 years, it seems to be time to move into the next chapter. On June 2nd, I observed the 42d anniversary of my Ordination from the Hebrew Union College. We were so young [Read more…]

"Counting the Omer," by Holly Hayes, from Flickr.com. Used under Creative Commons 2.0 license.
Rabbi Address' Monthly Message

Rabbi Address’s Mid-Month Message: MAKING SURE IT COUNTS: The OMER and us.

May 15, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 0

In Jewish tradition, this period between Passover and the festival of Shavuot is referred to as the “omer”. This reflects back to Torah and the charge to take a cutting of barley each day between [Read more…]

"Curiosity," by Edith Soto, from Flickr.com. Used under a Creative Commons 2.0 license.
Rabbi Address' Monthly Message

The art of staying curious, or, “Let it go, let it go…”

May 3, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 0

I constantly run into people of our generation who face the challenge of transitioning into the next stage of our life. I am one of those people. As we rumble along towards that precipice of [Read more…]

Passover Table 2, by April Killingsworth, from Flickr.com under Creative Commons 2.0 license.
Rabbi Address' Monthly Message

The challenge of changing seder tables, or, change can be tough!

April 14, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 0

Let me be among the many who wish you and your family a sweet, healthy and joyous Passover. This is THE most powerful of all our festivals. The mythology of the Exodus and the imagery [Read more…]

D'vrei Torah

Under the chupah … an interesting transition

March 31, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 0

Every once in a while, life hands you one of those opportunities that remind you of truth. These opportunities are often of mixed values. I have one this month. After a long wait, my son, [Read more…]

Rabbi Address' Monthly Message

Rabbi Address’s Monthly Message: The centrality of community and social contact

March 3, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 0

I had the opportunity very recently to spend a weekend teaching about some of our aging and baby boomer work at Congregation Sinai in Milwaukee. As part of the weekend I had the opportunity to [Read more…]

Rabbi Address' Monthly Message

It cannot be that long ago!

February 3, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 0

In the last few weeks I have had the opportunity to engage in some conversations with some groups about Boomer issues. We were all reflecting on the news that is in front of us these [Read more…]

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon meets new immigrant soldiers during the traditional reception on Sukkot holiday at the prime minister's residence in Jerusalem. GPO photo by Ohayon Avi.
D'vrei Torah

A lesson from Ariel Sharon’s passing

January 20, 2014 Rabbi Richard Address 0

This is not a political piece. Not by any stretch. Then again, I guess everything can be considered political in some sense. I recently began a class in my congregation on Responsa; the traditional literary [Read more…]