I’ve been behind the times and hadn’t realized that a new American ritualized holiday had come into existence. Apparently, “Friendsgiving” has been gaining momentum over the past number of years.
In this week’s Torah portion, “Chayei Sarah,” we learn of the death of our matriarch Sarah, Abraham’s efforts to secure a permanent burial spot for her, and his desire to find a suitable wife for his middle-aged bachelor son, Isaac.
This has been a difficult week in Israel and in the Gaza Strip. Over the past number of years, hundreds of missiles have been lunched from Gaza into Israel. During the last year in particular, these missile attacks threatened the rather tenuous cease-fire between Hamas (the titular leaders of Gaza) and Israel.
Have you ever found yourself bothered by society’s incessant need for reinvention? For the way we are always looking for the next big thing? Sometimes something new comes on the scene, but just as often, the words of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) ring true. “There is nothing new under the sun.” It’s our memory, our lack of historical knowledge that are at fault.
Erev Rosh Hashanah 5780 – September 29, 2019 Rabbi David Kosak, New Year Wishes for 5780 – Audio | Text ————- Rosh Hashanah 5780 (Day 1) – September 30, 2019 Rabbi David Kosak, The Enemy Within, the Enemy Without – Anti-Semitism in 2019 – Audio | Text Rabbi Eve Posen, Your Presence is Requested – Text ————- Rosh Hashanah 5780 (Day 2) – October 1, 2019 Rabbi David Kosak, Rosh Hashanah Day 2 – Audio ... Read More
The year was 1970 when the song first hit the airwaves. Since then, it has been recorded over 300 times and covered by such musicians as Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and even the Pet Shop Boys.
Gato Barbieri was an Argentinian Jazz musician who achieved a measure of fame in the 70’s. Some of his tunes were crossover hits that made it onto the pop charts, such as his rendition of Santana’s tune, Europa. Gato’s interpretation received tremendous airplay. But it’s not his music that’s got me thinking. It’s his writing.
