Israel
Bet
A dog doesn’t want me to be typing right now. We’re at the Vermont home of my wife’s oldest brother, Denry, and his wife, Chris, and their daughter, Nadya. They have two goats, one of whom has miraculously recovered from a complete de-horning, and two very friendly dogs (and, I think, two cats — they’re … Read more
Aleph
In Modern Hebrew for Beginners, a book I just bought at Afikomen Judaica in Berkeley, a footnote says: aleph and ayin are pronounced with a stoppage of the air flow, much like the initial sound in “oh oh.” I once interviewed Michael Tilson Thomas, and asked him what he does in the moments before he … Read more
Next Month in Jerusalem
Next month I become a man, at least symbolically, when I will have my bar mitzvah in Israel, with my wife and son and a lovely group of fellow travelers. My dear friend the Rabbi Menachem Creditor of Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley, who is leading the trip (and bringing his own beautiful family) has … Read more
Come with me to Israel!
From July 13-24, 2011, I’ll be joining my friend Rabbi Menachem Creditor (of Congregation Netivot Shalom in Berkeley) on a trip to Israel — my first ever (and his umpteenth)! And we’d love you to join us! Our goal will be to have authentic encounters (the activity prescribed by the late “I-Thou” philosopher Martin Buber) … Read more