Zack BodnerNov 18, 20211 minBe GratefulExpressing gratitude is an essential element of Judaism, as well as most world religions. From reciting a blessing when one wakes up, to...
Zack BodnerOct 8, 20211 minCelebrate new beginningsEvery year, we complete the cycle of reading the entire Torah, celebrate a bit, and then start over from the beginning, and this was the...
Zack BodnerOct 2, 20212 minThe power of storytellingThey don’t call the Jews “The People of the Book” for nuthin’! We are a storytelling people. From our biblical origin stories to our...
Zack BodnerSep 24, 20211 minGrateful for a roof over our headsSukkot is the Harvest Festival, a time to be grateful for our gifts and help those in our midst who are underprivileged, marginalized or...
Zack BodnerSep 17, 20211 minThe Power of ApologyYesterday we celebrated Yom Kippur, arguably the holiest day of the year for Jews all over the world. It’s a day that is meant to be...
Zack BodnerSep 10, 20212 minSelf-reflection and casting awayWelcome to the Days of Awe. These are the ten days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur – between the Jewish new year and the day of...
Zack BodnerAug 28, 20212 minReignite our love of learningThis was back-to-school week for many of our kids, including mine. As my front porch piled up with amazon packages filled with notebooks,...
Zack BodnerAug 23, 20211 minBe a mensch.Can we talk? Can I over-share for a moment? The truth is, we are all more stressed-out than usual. We are all dealing with more worries...
Zack BodnerAug 14, 20212 minJustice! Justice!In last week’s Torah portion, Shoftim, we read the famous words: “Justice, justice you shall pursue!” (Deut. 16:20) So it should be no...
Zack BodnerAug 7, 20211 minWe must be adaptableJews have adapted over the centuries. We adapted our lifestyles to different leaders ruling over us inside and outside Israel. We adapted...
Zack BodnerJul 14, 20212 minAcknowledge our Grief.Jewish tradition is very good at reminding us to embrace the painful memories, even as we are celebrating the joyful ones. For example,...
Zack BodnerJun 25, 20212 minElu V'Elu. Embrace this and that.I’m spending a few weeks with my family driving cross-country for our summer break. On a trip like this, the juxtaposition of life in...
Zack BodnerJun 11, 20211 minHonor your parents.I’ll give you a head start: next weekend is Father’s Day. If you’re like me, you’ll probably receive some funny cards from your family,...
Zack BodnerJun 5, 20212 minCelebrate Life!This week was graduation for many kids. Despite a year of massive disruption, they still plowed through and did what they needed to do so...
Zack BodnerMay 27, 20211 minWe must give ourselves time to healThis weekend we celebrate Memorial Day, our annual day to remember those men and women who fought and ultimately died for our country....
Zack BodnerMay 14, 20211 minIsraelToday is May 14. On this day 73 years ago, Israel declared its independence. And while I wish I were joyously celebrating with Israel...
Zack BodnerMay 8, 20211 minHonor and respect ShabbatWhile I was working from home during COVID, my days began to look a lot like my nights. My weeks began blurring together. And suddenly my...
Zack BodnerApr 30, 20212 minNurture your spiritual lifeToday we celebrate the Jewish holiday of Lag B’Omer, the 33rd day of the Omer, which is the 49-day period of time between Passover (when...
Zack BodnerApr 23, 20212 minWe must have humility.Remember when Nietzsche said, “God is dead?” As humans, we think we conquered the world: we tamed all the other animals on the planet;...
Zack BodnerApr 16, 20212 minInquire persistentlyThis week we celebrated Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day. It’s a day that marks a culminating moment after centuries of Jews from...
Zack BodnerApr 11, 20211 minWe must always remember.This week we commemorated Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day. In our community, as in many Jewish communities around the world, Jews...
Zack BodnerApr 4, 20211 minAll plagues end.10. All plagues end. This weekend marked the end of Passover. After a seder to two, during which we told our exodus story with a series...
Zack BodnerMar 26, 20212 minFreedom is an essential value.Freedom is an essential value. As we celebrate Passover this coming week, we remember and retell the story of the Jews’ exodus from...
Zack BodnerMar 19, 20212 minTime is sacred7. Time is sacred. This week marks the one-year anniversary of COVID lockdown for me. Perhaps one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned...