Thought of
the week.

Music is such an important part of my life. It makes me feel spiritually connected, helps me connect with myself and to God, and lifts my spirits. Music enhances my mood, and it’s the way I feel closest to my creator. In the Jewish religion, almost all prayer has some…

In the words of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, “the highest status is not to care about status, and that influence is more powerful than power!” How many times have we taught by telling others to do as I say, instead of what I do? True power and true education come from…

What is the difference between joy and happiness? In the words of J.D. Salinger, “happiness is a solid, joy is the liquid”. Joy is what leads to happiness, and is a feeling that is truly achieved through experiencing adversity. Fleeting happiness comes from stuff, or shiny objects—whether that be toys,…

Forgiveness demands introspection, and in most religions, there is a time dedicated to a deep dive into our past year. We then plan for our current year, cleaning up what we can in our lives, and creating space for blessings to come to fruition. Forgiveness of self and others truly…

Sitting in judgement, jumping to conclusions, and giving the benefit of the doubt are all areas that in certain places I struggle with, and in certain circumstances I’m able to handle favorably. When it comes to self-judgment, I’m extremely harsh. Yet when it comes to how I want others to…

Tocqueville defined individualism as “a mature and calm feeling which disposes each member of the community to sever himself from the mass of his fellows and to draw apart with his family and his friends,” leaving “society at large to itself.” We know that a democracy is the best form…

The practice of gratitude is incredibly important; it has actually been proven that it prolongs life by as many as 7 years. This fact is based upon a study published in 2001 that looked at the lives of approximately 700 nuns. Astoundingly, it was found that those who had a…

I just had the honor of officiating at the funeral of a gentleman who lived for 94 years and truly lived a full life. Firstly, I’m so grateful that I was able to perform the ceremony and give back to a man who gave to so many. Not only was…

Albert Einstein memorably spoke of Judaism’s “pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, an almost fanatical love of justice, and the desire for personal independence– these are the features of the Jewish tradition which make me thank my lucky stars that I belong to it”. I read this quote and…

I have the privilege of helping people help themselves recover from whatever they may be struggling with. I’ve often said, I gain more than anyone else, especially when I do it without any expectations of remuneration. I want to talk about two concerns of mine: one being, why do I…