2 Ways to help the people of Ukraine
2 Ways to help the people of Ukraine. 1) From the URJ: We are living in a time of great anguish and concern about the situation in Ukraine. Of particular concern is situation of our Reform communities and colleagues in that region. These are precarious and dangerous times for our brothers and sisters in the […]
3 Prayers in the face of violence and siege
a) A Prayer for Peace Lev Shalem: Weekday and Shabbat page 178 This text is full of quotations from across Hebrew scripture. this is a prayer for peace as we call out to the Infinite and Divine to offer respite and protection and also challenge ourselves to pursue and generate peace. May we see […]
Rabbi Birnholz February 2021 Scroll article
In the middle weeks of January, I experienced/witnessed two paths of light […]
Rabbi Birnholz January 2021 Scroll article
Last month, I offered insight into the Rabbinic machlochet (debate) between our Sages Hillel and Shammai on the subject of Hanukah Lights. This month, I offer you their discussion of the timing of the New Year of the Trees. Mishnah Rosh HaShanah Chapter 1: (1) The four new years are: On the first of Nisan, […]
Rabbi Birnholz December 2020 Scroll article
Last week, in the car on an errand, I was listening to NPR. In an interview of ATUL GAWANDE, one of the folks on President Elect Joe Biden’s Pandemic Response counsel declared: “This week we learned about the results of the Pfizer vaccine and its likely great effectiveness. That puts a light at the end […]
Lifting Each Other: Rabbi’s November Scroll article
There are stories, that I tell and read again and again. They intrigue me, challenge me and inspire me and, I hope as I share them, do all of that, and more to you. Every so often, one of the stories that I tell, either to get myself focused for spiritual work or to offer […]
Rabbi Birnholz’s Scroll article: Blessing the Creatures
In the first two Portions of the Torah, humanity is given the responsibility to take care of the creatures of the earth. In Genesis, Adam and Eve are named caretakers for the animals in the Garden of Eden and then beyond. (In Genesis 1:28 the instruction is to “fill, master and rule.” In Genesis 2:15 it […]
Rabbi’s Article March 2020 Social Distancing – Social Connection
The phrase “Social Distancing” has now entered our vocabulary. Each day brings new instructions on quarantining ourselves, limiting the scope of our activities or distancing ourselves from human contact in the midst of the Covid19 epidemic. Social distancing impacts our body and spirit. Humans are social creatures. How can we draw on the strength of […]
June 2015 scroll article
I have officiated at countless funerals here on the Treasure Coast, but during my tenure here I have never followed up on my research from my thesis. Mississippi and Louisiana are far away. Our congregation has had other needs from toddlers to teens to empty nesters. I have been teaching students, visiting the sick, being present […]
May 2015 scroll article
Sometimes you get to experience a Hannukah miracle in April. For the last few weeks, I have been leading our Tel Gator archeological simulation with our Fourth and Fifth Grade class. They made artifacts, which we buried in a tub of sand. Each week they “excavate” and find an artifact. I have written stories and […]