Blog

03/03/15

Purim Stories

Posted by Rabbi Goldie Milgram |

Purim is a "rite of reversal". Everything in the megillah turns out backwards to how it was during the time of the Persian Empire. Such a story, when paired with ritual as in Purim, serves as a powerful, safe way of venting our frustrations and moving toward our highest hopes.

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02/03/15

We invite you to adapt, adopt or excerpt from our explanation and integrative ritual for Tu B'Shvat

Posted by Rabbi Goldie Milgram |

    The Jewish festival of the trees, our “earth day” — Tu B’Shvat, begins tonight. "An Original Environmental Tu B'Shvat Ritual" is an article we wrote that just went live at the Philadelphia Jewish Voice.

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01/26/15

Due date extended for written submissions to The Wisdom of Reb Zalman

Posted by Rabbi Goldie Milgram |
We heard you cry out to us in the wilderness: "We need more time!" Accordingly the new written submissions due date for the juried volume "The Wisdom of Reb Zaman" Schachter-Shalomi is March 15. True quotes, vignettes, stories, ritual moments, his advocacy for feminism, tikkun olam, neo-hassidism, deeo ecumenism, and other highlights from your encounters and transcriptions of his teachings that illuminate Reb Zalman's ways of being in the world are invited--up to 1800 words.
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12/26/14

Example Programs, Workshops and Shabbatonim

Posted by Rabbi Goldie Milgram |

Some Recent Shabbatonim, Scholar-in-Residencies and Workshops
Given for Communities and Conferences by Rabbi Goldie Milgram

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12/21/14

Gingerbread for Hanukkah: DeLight or Diminish?

Posted by Rabbi Goldie Milgram |

Last week, five different people wrote me asking if making a gingerbread Hanukkah house might be a welcoming compromise for intermarried families and for those experiencing Christmas envy.

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12/03/14

Jewish Spiritual Masters: Do We Have Them?

Posted by Rabbi Goldie Milgram |
Photo credit: Google images Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and the Lubavitcher Rebbe
Jewish Spiritual Masters: Do We Have Them?
Rabbi Dr. Goldie Milgram

Guest Lecturer, Sarasota Liberal Yeshiva

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11/28/14

Thanksgiving: From Tension to Connection on a Train

Posted by Rabbi Goldie Milgram |
Photo Credit: Barry Bub

Radio Times yesterday offered discussion of a study showing a positive impact on the well-being of commuters who chatted with the strangers sitting nearby.

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02/22/14

Signs and Wonders

Posted by Anonymous |

 Sometimes the way ahead seems uncertain, and we wish we had a clear sign of our best path forward. We want a sign from God.

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01/26/14

No Deposit, No Return

Posted by Anonymous |

 It was 1976 and I’d been alienated from Temple life for 20 years. Not that my parents didn’t try: they insisted my family and I come with them every year to High Holidays, and then lovingly guilt-tripped me into joining a synagogue “for the sake of the children.”

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12/28/13

Blessing: The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Posted by Anonymous |

 In this season of gift giving it is good to remember that one of the best gifts we can bestow on others does not cost money or come wrapped in gift paper with ribbons. It is the gift of a blessing- a prayer for well being. In Genesis 48:15-16, Jacob-- now called Israel-- blesses Joseph’s two sons with the following words:

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