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Or Ahavah is a welcoming community dedicated to personal transformation and healing the world through Jewish practice.
& Meaning from Rabbi Deb
A Remebrance of Reb Zalman
Reb Zalman, z”l
Rabbi Zalman Schechter-Shalomi, z”l, died last week and, for me, his departure brought an end to an era of great rabbis who truly care about the people. This is not to say that there are no longer any great rabbis who care. Reb Zalman cared for people in ways that seem unique to the rabbis of his generation who came to the United States carrying with them the lights of a Euopean Yeshivah and Chassidic background.Reb Zalman was not my primary rebbe. His colleague Rabbi Brod, z”l, whom we all called “Rabbi,” was my rebbe, my friend, the one who subtly taught me how to reconcile my soul to something better, and the one who taught me the heart of a rebbe. He taught that a rabbi should be driven by the need to find flexibility to meet a person’s needs if traditional avenues are, for whatever reason, closed. Reb Shlomo, another colleague and friend of Reb Zalman’s, had boundaries so thin that he was able to help a stranger as if his life depended on it. These are the three rabbis who influence me beyond measure.
Reb Zalman made openings in the Jewish world where spiritually hungry travellers could rest and maybe even take up residence. The most valuable lesson that I learned from Reb Zalman was a different expression of something precious that I learned from Rabbi Brod. Reb Zalman taught about retrofitting changes that we make as rabbis and spiritual leaders to traditions and Jewish laws that have developed over thousands of years.
Jewish Megatrends by Rabbi Sidney Schwarz
Shalom all:
One of my colleagues, Rabbi Daniel Siegel, wrote a review of Jewish Megatrends by Rabbi Sidney Schwarz that I found insightful and touching. It is a tribute to the unsung heroes throughout the Jewish world. Some of these invisible heroes have devoted their lives to making positive changes in Jewish culture and practice so that more Jews can come back to their religious or cultural home of origin and feel welcome and nourished.
I hope you enjoy the essay as much as I do. You can find it at http://rabbidanielsiegel.com/the-invisibles-reflections-on-jewish-megatrends/
With blessings for a healthy and fulfilling New Year,
Rabbi DebWomen of Distinction Program
Last Thursday, on December 5, 2013, Or Ahavah was proud to hear Dr. Linda Wexler’s name called as our honoree during the Women of Distinction program. Several women from a variety of Jewish organizations were honored for the work that they have generously given to the Jewish community and beyond. It’s a fabulous event. It is inclusive of the mitzvah mavens so well known in the Tampa Jewish community and other mitzvah mavens who we are hearing about for the first time.
Two pictures of Linda are posted on the website, one with Rabbi Deb and the other with her husband Colby. Based on a write-up submitted by Or Ahavah, here is what was written in the program and spoken about Linda as she was called up to be honored: (more…)
Spa Day-Making it Jewish – Part 1.
A couple of Sundays ago, Or Ahavah indulged in Spa and Schmooze Day. Our very own Dr. Phil talked about skin care and answed our many questions. Two masseuses and a facialist offered spa treatments that were awesome and reasonably priced. As we were waiting our turn on the spa table and chair, many of us gathered around a table filled with healthy but tasty food and drink offerings. “What makes this Jewish,” I asked, and someone quipped “eating good food!” I agree that enjoying and sharing Jewish-style food with others is a way of experiencing Jewish identity, but I wanted something more (more…)Chanukah Gathering
Our Chanukah gathering at Siesta Key Beach was fabulous! Somebody remarked that it felt like she and her husband were with family. I cannot think of better feedback to share than that.
Here are a few pics from the party.
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