We’re often told that: “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.” This quote is often (mis?)attributed to Albert Einstein, but regardless of the source, it does seem somewhat logical. Yet as Jews of faith, we are taught to pray and yearn daily for Mashiach (Messiah, also called Geula- redemption, and sometimes, Tikkun Olam- global repair). Opinions vary about what exactly will happen in this long-awaited post-

Note this was originally a schmoozeletter email several years ago, inspired by this week's Torah portion: Warm weather is just around the bend here in chilly New York, and I'm so looking forward to it, because summer is my season of joy. Do you have a favorite season? I was once listening to a lecture on the power of being present in the moment. The speaker said that he is so present and mindful, that he doesn't even look forward to upcoming happy events, because he's committ

There are many traits and behaviors that contribute to healthy relationships and many that sabotage them. There are two specific tendencies that are especially toxic and they are: Unbridled ego and unbridled desire. (In Hebrew they rhyme: Ga’ava and Ta’ava: ) The holy sacrifices in Vayikra are called korbanot, connected to the root “karov,” meaning close, because they symbolize the different ways we build intimate relationships with the Divine, and from which we can extrapol

A friend recently asked for a “quick pointer” to include as a paragraph or two in an article she was writing about Pesach preparation for a Jewish magazine. She wanted to address the common issue of pre- Yom Tov overwhelm. The questions she used as a prompt for this were a little challenging because responding to them helpfully would have meant writing at least two whole articles on their own. So I gave her a couple of ideas, but then realized that I could actually write my