Sitting Alone

I had the unfortunate occasion to be present for many family recitations of the mourner’s Kaddish when I was a child. After my grandparents died, my mom and dad always went to shul for their yahrzeits. When my mother’s father passed away, I attended...

Color, Faith and Fiber

My mother is an incredibly talented artist.  For many years now, she has used her talents for the sake of chiddur mitzvah – beautifying the mitzvah – of tallit.  She painted her first tallit for the occasion of my Bat Mitzvah.  It was purple flowers on white...

Farewell Diana

I walked into the hospice room with a profound sadness.  This was no stranger, but she also wasn’t family, a congregant, or even a close friend.  She was a mentor.  She was a woman who helped teach me how to be the Cantor I am today.  She was one of the strongest...