Rabbi Leora Kaye

Aaron and David love studying Torah, and even want it to be their livelihood. But a truth-telling rabbi may send them down a different path. Join Rabbi Leora Kaye as she tells a story which reminds us that we can sometimes reach our dream destination by traversing an unexpected path.

Three rabbis who pass by a town that has fallen on hard times each respond in a different way. Has there been a time when you changed your approach to do something better? Listen to the story told by Rabbi Leora Kaye, URJ Director of Program, to see what they learn from each other.

A man walking on Shabbat comes across a bag of gold. Again and again, the bag of gold pleads with the man to take him home - how much good he could do with it! But the man refuses. Why would he do that and what does he end up with as his reward? And is there something you care about so much that you would miss a golden opportunity? This story is shared by Rabbi Leora Kaye, Director of Program for the Union For Reform Judaism.

This is the tale of a rabbi who spent his whole life studying and teaching Torah. As he became a well-known and beloved teacher, he started to think highly of himself. One day he had a dream that he was visited by an angel, who predicted that, in the “world to come,” a local baker would be appointed as his heavenly attendant. Disappointed in what he perceived as her lowly status, he sought out the baker… and made a surprising discovery. This story, retold by Rabbi Leora Kaye, will make you stop and think about who your teachers are, and how you see yourself and others. You can find a version of this story in The Jewish Story Finder, entitled, A Worthy Companion on page 83.