Conversations with the Rabbi

Faith is used and abused, both by the "faithful" and the "faithless." Truth be told, I've never met a person who fits completely into either one of these delineations. Faith is indeed a human attribute meant to be "used" like courage or optimism or humility or love. Especially in a moment like this.

Dr Ann Friedman (https://www.mindfulbeinghouston.com/) is my dear friend, supporter of Shma Koleinu and a brilliant teacher of meditation. From her website:

"COVID-19: We can all use a little stress reduction!

All, due to the impact of COVID-19, we are announcing some changes to our classes and events:

1. Daily Noon Guided Meditations are moving to Facebook Live, effective March 23rd. Please follow Mindful Being on Facebook, and you will be notified when we begin each day, Monday through Friday, from 12:00-12:30pm CST.

2. All Mindfulness Classes will be held through Zoom, an online meeting tool. Once you register, you will receive the link to connect.

3. We are offering $30 off all classes. When you check out, please enter code CALM30 to receive the discount.

4. Wednesday morning yoga is canceled until further notice.

Check the Classes page for more information. We encourage you to join the Facebook Live every day at noon CST and sign up for one of our mindfulness classes!

Stay Safe and Be Well.

In the craziness of our time, I wonder how children would direct us.

I had the privilege to hear Naomi Shihab Nye share her poetry at the On Being Conference a couple of years ago. She is radical and challenging and yet soothing and affirming. Her poetry touches me deeply and I wanted to share it with you. This poem, like many of hers, paints an alternate reality perceivable when we shift our perspective just a little bit.

Ok, its been a week since you may have found yourself staying at home or maybe even living with people whom you love but with whom you know, under normal circumstances, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Here's some unsolicited thoughts.

If you like what you hear and you would like to make a donation to Congregation Shma Koleinu to help us continue to deliver this kind of content, click https://www.cskhouston.com/donate-once.

Even in times like these, the first days are "exciting" or at least they are new. But soon enough they become tiresome and heavy. And we can lose ourselves. Listen to this meditation in striving to find yourself again.

Here's a two-step perfect for you as we enter into this upside down world.

Our wonderful cantorial soloist, Hannah Madeleine Goodman, has very lovingly recorded for all of us the Mi Shebeirach prayer. When the news, the worries and concerns overwhelm you, find a quiet spot, breathe into this moment, flood yourself with images of beauty and joy, and then let this recording wash over you.

For a moment of reflection before heading into the beautiful "sameness" of not getting to go to work or school, something we may very well have wished for a bunch of weeks back.

With Covid 19 in the news (and don't forget the Flu in general!) here's a little reminder about how hand washing is not only good for your body, its good for your soul!