April 4, 2019 28 adar II Dear Friends, I write this as I return home from the annual CCAR (Central Conference of American Rabbis) rabbinic convention that was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. Part of the package of rabbinic benefits that is included in most congregations' contract with their rabbi generally includes funds to cover opportunities [...]
March 15, 2019 9 Adar II 5779 Dear Friends, Many of us are still reeling from the news about the horrific act of violence committed yesterday by a white supremacist against Muslims during prayer at two Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Forty-nine innocent people lost their lives, and many more lives were shattered and traumatized [...]
Beginning Again . . . “Happy Secular New Year!” I said. “The secular new year doesn’t mean much to me,” my friend said. “I feel that I get so much more out of the Jewish New Year. The secular new year doesn’t really provide anything new.” “I welcome any opportunity to mark new beginnings,” I [...]
On Sunday evening October 28, Kol HaNeshamah held a Service of Comfort in the Shadow of Loss, (post Pittsburgh shooting) Here are some resources from the service: There should never be a time like this A Service of Comfort in the Shadow of Loss Memorial Prayers Service of Consolation copy (003)
Words shared by Rabbi Zari Weiss At beginning of Service of Comfort in the Shadow of Loss Sunday evening, October 28, 2018 19 Cheshvan 5779 L’chol zman v’yet l’chol heyfetz tachat ha’shamayim. For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven. There should not ever be a need for a [...]
From Hiroshima to Hope August 6, 2018 26 Av 5778 Great Spirit of the Universe, You are known by many names: God, Allah, Adonai, Jesus, Vishnu, Krishna, Kami . . . All of which point toward that which is Beyond All Names, beyond any human comprehension or image Since the beginning of time, You have [...]
Interfaith Prayer Vigil In support of Asylum Seekers held at Sea Tac June 18, 2018 As some of you know, during the period of the year known as the High Holy Days, Jews engage in a process of deep and honest reflection, taking a painstaking account of our actions over the previous year. We engage [...]
Kol HaNeshamah is an intimate congregation with a warm approach to tradition. Shabbat is the cornerstone of our community. We meet twice a month on the first and third Friday and Saturday to worship at Alki UCC, near Alki Beach in West Seattle. Ours is a progressive synagogue rejoicing in Torah, Avodah [...]
Dvar Torah Friday evening, April 6, 2018 Remember you were a slave . . . Any notable experiences during Passover? Any significant learnings? Would like to share one from my week: Often, when I begin working on dvar Torah, I think about the strands of news and events that have been running through the week. [...]
Situation of Asylum Seekers in Israel Leaders throughout the world have urged Netanyahu not to deport the migrants. They include leaders of HIAS, the leading Jewish immigration advocacy group; the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; the National Council of Jewish Women, J-Street and T’ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. In their letter they [...]