RJ Blog

Today I took a new route to work. It might seem like a simple thing. After all, I’ve been driving from the same house to the same synagogue for seven years (that’s how long we’ve lived in this house. I’m actually celebrating my 10th year at the synagogue!). But today I got a little lost. On purpose. Part of my 36 Reasons to Say Shehecheyanu project is, in my mind, teaching an old dog new tricks. Not to call myself old (or a dog), but I wanted to shake things up just a teensy bit. Nothing crazy, mind you. But [...]

The sukkah is a symbol of fragility. We build the temporary structure each year and know that it is only meant to last for the week-long holiday. It sways in the breeze. The raindrops land inside. The animals nibble at our decor. We know it could come crashing down on us. The blessings of our health is so fragile. The vibrancy of our children sways in the breeze, and sometimes the raindrops hit our lives. A diagnosis… it all comes crashing down. The sukkah is a symbol of uncertainty.

The Jewish month of Elul, which precedes the High Holy Days, is traditionally a time of renewal and reflection. It offers a chance for spiritual preparation for the Days of Awe. It is traditional to begin one’s preparation for the High Holy Days during this month with the S’lichot, the prayers of forgiveness. We look to begin the year with a clean slate, starting anew, refreshed. All month, along with others, I’m blogging a thought or two over at my blog for each day to help with the month of preparation. Now, nine things I love about the month of [...]

When my son, Sam, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the first things we learned was that the hospital was about to become our home. For about a month at a time… at least four times. After this sunk into my brain, I started to consider how the room could become home-like for Sam. And for us. Home is where you hang your mezuzah, after all. In my foggy brain, I recalled that after 30 days, a mezuzah is usually required on the door of a dwelling. But without doing any research at all, I knew that [...]

Editor’s Note: Rabbi Sommer’s 6-year-old son, Sammy, was recently diagnosed with leukemia. She is blogging her family’s story at Superman Sam. That title above (a little longer than a usual blog title), is one of my favorite Jewish ideas. We are always looking at “old” things and bringing them into a new day. Then we are tasked with bringing holiness into each new day, new idea, new plan. About two years ago, I learned to do a six-strand braided challah. It makes perfect sense to me to braid six strands, one for each member of my family. I braid in [...]

There’s always a lot to get done to prepare for the holiday of Pesach. Not only do we have to get our homes ready for the week of leaven-free dining, there’s an important spiritual aspect to preparing ourselves for the experience of the Exodus. Luckily, there are a couple of weeks prior to Passover in which to get ready!

I didn’t even know what a palmier was. My friend Barrett mentioned that she had made them for Purim, using Tina Wasserman‘s recipe. I looked it up…and, oh my, they sounded delicious. Thank goodness for Google, since I could look it up without feeling stupid. Oh, but now I’ve told all of you….okay. Well… you love me anyway, right?

I got out of my cab at the Gaylord Center and I only walked about 5 feet before I saw a familiar face. And then another. And another. I finally made my way up to the convention registration desk but I didn’t even get in line before I found myself in a clutch of friends all comparing their Foursquare checkins and adding their Twitter handles to their convention badges. I met people “in real life” that I’ve only known on Twitter and we hugged like old friends. While I stood in line to register, I saw a few more people [...]

by Rabbi Phyllis Sommer(originally posted on Ima on (and off) the Bima) Each year, I post about my Thanksgiving Ritual, based loosely on the idea of the Passover Seder. After all, both holidays center around the dinner table, shared with family and/or friends. Thanksgiving is such a wonderful American holiday. It’s a simple concept, really - say thank you for the blessings in life and share a meal with those you love. But often, the meal takes over, stress of family and needing a “picture perfect” celebration cause a little fraying at the edges. Creating an atmosphere of gratitude can be [...]

Just as children all around the country are beginning their school year, so too did my own children begin. I offer this prayer for the beginning of the school year… And so begins a new year…. May it be a year of learning and growth, a year of new experiences and understanding. May they outgrow their shoes and may they not lose their jackets. May each day bring something new and may routine guide their steps. May their pencils be sharp and their minds even sharper. May they revel in the joy of each new fact learned, each right answer, [...]

by Rabbi Phyllis Sommer(Originally published in Ima on (and off) the Bima) A prayer for my dear son embarking on his second year at summer camp… May you find learning and growth of all kinds.May you gain independence and feel comfort in your Jewish identity.May the mosquitoes be guided away from you, and may the raindrops not fall into your tent (too much).May the food be delicious and the pool the right temperature.May you seek out new experiences and try new things (vegetables would be nice but I’m doubtful).May you smile brilliantly for the camp photographer and show up daily [...]

by Rabbi Phyllis SommerOriginally posted on Ima on (and off) the Bima Last year I did a “Hamantaschen Test Kitchen” with six different varieties:Cream Cheese DoughGingerbread?Gluten Free HamantaschenChocolate!Aunt Dora’s RecipeYeast Dough This year, I thought I would give some of my favorite tips and tricks for hamantaschen baking: Make the dough in advance. It will work better ifcold, and most hamantaschen doughs freeze really well. Just let it getsoft enough to roll out once you’re ready to use them.

by Rabbi Phyllis SommerOriginally posted on Ima on and off the Bima The Jewish community lost a remarkable presence today. Debbie Friedman died early this morning. Debbie has always been a presence in my life. Even before I met her in person at OSRUI in 1991, her music had a deep impact on my connection to prayer and Jewish life. But tonight, as I put my kids to bed, I realized her most lasting impact on my life. Each night, we sing a bedtime Shema. We sing Debbie’s Shema. And then, upon further reflection, I realized that we sing the [...]

by Rabbi Phyllis Sommer(Originally published in Ima on (and off) the Bima) This is mostly re-posted from last year, but it’s worth having as the holiday of Thanksgiving approaches. It’s hard to believe that the holiday of Thanksgiving is nearly upon us. Thanksgivingis such a wonderful American holiday. It’s simple – say thank you forthe blessings in life and share a meal with those you love. Butoften, the meal takes over, stress of family and needing a “pictureperfect” celebration cause a little fraying at the edges. Creating anatmosphere of gratitude can be tricky when you’re just trying to keepyour 3-year-old [...]