Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

Hamakohm-A New/Old approach to spirituality begins this Sunday

 

Introducing 

hamakom

The Place to Reconnect and Recharge your Soul

hamakohm will be an hour filled with new and old approaches to prayer, music and meditation. This will be a laboratory for the creation of new and innovative ideas, as well as a place to revive ancient spiritual approaches.

This program is for anyone who is seeking to enrich their sense of personal Jewish spirituality within the context of a wonderful community. No knowledge of Hebrew is required, just an open heart and mind.

hamakOhm will meet on Sunday mornings at Adat Shalom Synagogue beginning in October. We will start at 9:15 am. Sessions will be facilitated by Rabbi Aaron Bergman, Rabbi Rachel Shere and Hazzan Gross, and last an hour.

October sessions are 10/3 and 10/17.  We will meet in the social hall.There is no charge.

Posted on

Hearing the Sights-Music Page Updated

Hearing the Sights

This is an experiment based on a fascinating expression of synesthesia in the Bible. When the people were at Mount Sinai it says they “Saw the sounds.” I thought it might be interesting to look at the opposite, that they could hear what they saw.

I used a program called Photosounder which transforms visuals into sounds. I created some images in Photoshop and turned them into soundfiles, which I then sequenced with a number of effects.

Posted on

Favorite Teachings: Rabbi Nachman Part Two

 

Judaism for me is a home, a religion and an identity. At the most crucial times of my life, those moments that it seemed darkness would reign over me, Judaism has been my refuge and salvation. This is not the easiest thing to share, but I feel that it is important that people know that even rabbis face crises of faith and purpose. Judaism means so much to me, precisely in these moments.

I want to share a teaching that has meant a great deal to me, and has been a comfort in some difficult moments. It is one of the most famous of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who is one of my primary spiritual guides.

The teaching is taken from the second half of a verse from Psalm 146. In Hebrew, it is “Azamra Leilohei B’odi.” This is normally translated as “I will sing to God with all of my strength,” implying that we should serve God with all of our might and ability. This is a good thought when you are feeling strong and confident. It is not as helpful when you are feeling weak, or depressed, when you feel as though you have nothing left.

Rabbi Nachman was concerned that we never give into despair, something he struggled with himself his entire life. He translates the verse from Psalms differently. He said, “We should sing to God with what we have left.” That is to say that even when we are feeling at our worst, and that we do not have anything to offer God or anyone else, God will count what little we have and what little we can do as a complete prayer and offering. God will view us as 100% worthwhile even when we feel worthless.

This is particularly important to remember when so many people are going through difficult times, not just financially, but emotionally. So many of our identities are wrapped up in our professions or our ability to provide for our loved ones and the community. We feel bad about ourselves, because we many not be able to do what we used to.

Rabbi Nachman said that we should never give up on ourselves, because God never does. We can always find what is eternally valuable within ourselves. Even one kind deed to another person can change their world, and maybe the whole world for the better.

This teaching has helped me find myself when I felt lost. I hope you never need it, but if you do, that it gives you comfort and hope.