Blog

  • The REAL Queen Esther Lesson(s)

    The REAL Queen Esther Lesson(s)

    Back in 2000, I started my journey into Jewish Family Education by attending the Whizin Institute (z’l) held in LA on the American Jewish University campus (now a Milikin campus). One of the moments I clearly remember was a story that Rabbi Eddie Feinstein and Harlene Appleman z’l told in a breakout session. It goes…

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  • It’s About Dialogue (Dagnabbit!)

    It’s About Dialogue (Dagnabbit!)

    Years ago (MANY years ago), I began to teach “Hot Topics” to teens, using Jewish text and context (ancient and modern) to frame discussions on everything from Interfaith Relationships to LGBTQ+ Relationships to Death Penalty.  When I started getting requests to teach these same topics to adults, I decided to open every discussion by first…

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  • Is “Advertising the Chanukkah Miracle” Safe Right Now?

    Is “Advertising the Chanukkah Miracle” Safe Right Now?

    Writer’s Note: There is only one “correct” way to spell the holiday this blog addresses and that is חֲנֻכָּה‎ or חֲנוּכָּה‎.  But, in transliteration, there are dozens of options.  My personal preference is Chanukkah. Some of the sources I will use have it translated differently.  Since October 7th and the subsequent rise in JewHatred across…

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  • Moderate Zionist’s Digestible Timeline of “The Land”

    Moderate Zionist’s Digestible Timeline of “The Land”

    The recent invasion of Hamas into Israel has led to much debate about “Whose Land Is This Anyway?” Just like media, timelines often come with a specific bias.  I have tried to create a digestible (two-page) timeline of what is known to Jews, not only as Israel, but as HaEretz (The Land).  I have tried…

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  • Israel-Hamas News and Resources: Critical Thinking a Must

    Israel-Hamas News and Resources: Critical Thinking a Must

    Years ago I was leading a high school service-learning program and the teens wanted to dive deep into conflict resolution. They researched a few organizations that worked in that field and one they chose to investigate more is called Seeds of Peace. This group brings young people from conflict regions together into an immersive camp experience. I…

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  • Jewish Values & the Israel-Hamas War

    Jewish Values & the Israel-Hamas War

    This free lesson plan is designed for teens and/or adults (8th grade+) as a way of processing the current war through an exploration of Jewish texts and related Jewish concepts.  It is interactive and elicits a lot of dialogue and personal reflection.   Download Here: JewishGPS Jewish Values Lesson Israel-Hamas War 10262023 Update: Here is…

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  • Yizkor. To Remember. (as if I could forget)

    Yizkor. To Remember. (as if I could forget)

    Note:I posted this piece on my original blog (no longer in service) in 2011.  Below it, I have added an update.   Yizkor. It’s the part of the Yom Kippur service where all the young people hang out in the hallway. While growing up, most young Jews were told one of two things about why they were…

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  • On The Flip Side of Philanthropy

    On The Flip Side of Philanthropy

    SIDE ONE: Youth Philanthropy Programs I am trying to remember what year I first was introduced to the concept of “Jewish Youth Philanthropy.”  I think it might have been 2004ish, when I was serving as the Director of Youth Education for the Bureau of Jewish Education of Orange County and the Executive Director, Dr. Joan Kaye,…

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  • Simply a “Missed Opportunity” or a Serious Shanda?

    Simply a “Missed Opportunity” or a Serious Shanda?

    My eyes sparkled and my heart felt joy watching this young boy (presumably a resident of South Florida) belt out the Venezuela national anthem (in Spanish of course), wrapped in the flag of Venezuela, wearing a Team Venezuela t-shirt.   And then, I was sad … and a bit angry.  Because I didn’t see young Jewish…

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  • Until 120

    Until 120

    Until 120.  Ad Me’ah v’Esrim. עד מאה ועשרים This one-line blessing is commonly wished to someone on their birthday.  But why? The number 120 as it relates to a person’s age is mentioned a few times in classic Jewish texts.  Most know it as it relates to Moses where in Deuteronomy 34:7 it says, “Moses…

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  • The Perfect Storm

    Ninety days ago (Oct 10, 2022), I wrote this blog entitled “Sacred Time and Silver Linings” about what led to meputting JewishGPS’ work on hold, and my entire life on hold, and “temporarily” moving the last few years. In it, I mentioned that at some point I would write about the “Perfect Storm” that allows…

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  • Sacred Time and Silver Linings

    Some might have been wondering why JewishGPS and this blog went silent for many months. Out of respect for my mom’s privacy, her heroic battle against cancer (diagnosed June 2021) was never shared on social media and never talked about in public spaces. As a result, my role as primary live-in caregiver was also not…

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