Torah Restoration & Maintenance Fund

We are writing to share news of our progress on raising funds for CBI’s Torah Restoration & Maintenance Fund as of January 2025.

A circular diagram divided into eight segments, each colored in a light tone of beige, pale green, and taupe. The central section of the diagram has the word "GRATITUDE." The labels on the segments are: Work; Family; Personal work / Spirituality; Fun / Joy / Creativity; Friends / Community; Home space(s); Activism / Giving back; FREE SPACE.

A few days ago, I told my son that I was trying to figure out what to write about in my January newsletter column. Now that we’re done with Chanukah, there aren’t any Jewish holidays until next month. I know what I want to write about for February, but what is the wisdom we need now, as we begin a secular new year at a time when Jewishly life is just… going on?

CBI Labyrinth

Greetings from Hong Kong, where I am spending a few weeks visiting with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons. It’s been so much fun celebrating Sukkot and Simchat Torah with our grandsons on the other side of the world.

5 Steps to Repair; from On Repentance and Repair by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg. If you can harm, you can heal. 1) Own the harm you caused – no excuses. 2) Start to change – do the work. 3) Make amends. 4) Apologize – for real. 5) Next time, make a different choice.

One of my favorite things that I’m doing right now is co-teaching a class called “Repentance and Repair” with Rabbi David Markus. As some of you know, we started off by assigning a little bit of spiritual homework.

The Journey of Teshuvah & Runway to the High Holy Days 5785

I’m always reluctant to face the reality that summer will eventually end. I love the slower pace of a season without the pressures of school days. I love the vibrant green of our hills at this time of year. I love the profusion of produce (yes, even the excess of zucchini). I love the long days and warm evening light. If I could freeze time right here and now, I might be tempted to do it! Maybe fortunately, that power hasn’t been offered to me, so days keep ticking by at their usual pace.

CBI Labyrinth

A month ago, I returned from a trip to Central Europe, traveling on the Danube River and visiting Budapest, Bratislava, Salzburg, Vienna, and Prague. It was my first time in this part of the world, and the trip made a huge impression on me, especially my visits to synagogues, most of whose members were wiped out by the Nazis in WWII or by the Russians following the war during the Communist era. I was moved by the sights and descriptions of these lost communities and the beauty of their synagogues and ritual objects. I realized anew how fortunate we are to live in a time where we are free to practice our faith and be part of a thriving Jewish community.

CBI's gazebo and labyrinth.

Lately I’ve been humming the opening of the Simon and Garfunkel tune “The 59th Street Bridge Song.” Many of you probably know this one. It begins, “Slow down, you move too fast. Got to make the moment last!” It has an apt spiritual message for us at this time of year.

Ashira L’Adonai - I Will Sing to God; from Parashat Beshalach - Exodus 15:1-21.

This guest post is the D’var Torah that CBI member and cantorial soloist Ziva Larson offered at Shabbat Morning Services on Saturday, March 2, 2024.