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As the Jewish New Year comes upon us, so many thoughts and ideas of our past year come to light. Did we succeed in all the goals and priorities we set forth last autumn? Did we face new obstacles and challenges, allowing our ability of self-growth to develop? Have we created new bonds and faced…
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Be The Dream is a story of a vision once thought to be lost – only to be rediscovered under a veil of fear and self-doubt, uprooted with hope and inspiration. The American poet Langston Hughes said, “Hold fast to dreams, for when dreams go, life is a barren field frozen with snow.” At the…
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As a Rabbi, a paramount role since the onset of my Rabbinate was human connection and communication with temple members. Leading a service is of utmost importance as a Rabbi and a religious leader, but leadership serves beyond the bima. When a Rabbi graduates from school, we walk away with the tools to produce a…
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Meditation, a centuries-old practice, has gained its popularity over the past few years, particularly during the pandemic. I myself never naturally acclimated to the practice of meditation in the traditional sense of sitting in one spot for a lengthy period, yet as a reform rabbi, I have found aspects of Jewish prayer lay parallel to…
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What is a friend? How is friendship defined? What are the qualities and aesthetics that curate a friendship? Does the length of knowing one truly dictate the compounds of friendship? I ponder these questions and more as I have reached a milestone in my life where I feel sincere gratitude for the friendships I have…
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In life, we will be faced with matters beyond our comprehension. It is how we face those challenges or life situations that ultimately express who we are as individuals. Rebbe Nachman expressed the importance of daily meditation, a way to soothe the soul and allow our bodies and minds to embrace the moment of reflection.…
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In life, we have chances and opportunities. In life, we can either be the lifesaver toward others or the passerby. I ask you, which are you? As a Rabbi, it is my birthright and civic duty to help and aid my community, family, and friends despite my own hardships. When we help others, we help…
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I begin our story by asking you to examine your life, those moments when challenges were turned into opportunities, or possibly when opportunities were left undiscovered. Here we are in 2022, embracing a new reality and learning new ways of daily survival while holding onto our dreams. Today, how are you helping one another? What…
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As a Rabbi, much of my time is spent delivering prayer, offering insight, and helping people reach a state of serenity. Today, that space of peace is more critical than ever. While I could lament disregarding the news, our civic duty is to remain aware of the world. Yet, I urge you not to let…
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Welcome to the modern version of my pen and notepad. After years of handwriting my notes and thoughts which often became sermons and articles, with the support of my assistant Debra, I have finally embraced the digital world of composition as a mission to share my writings beyond the desk and podium. All of my…
Rabbi Merle E. Singer | Words with Merle 