Weekly Wisdom

Lessons from Tisha B’Av: From Tragedy and Loss, Comes Life and New Beginnings

Lessons from Tisha B’Av: From Tragedy and Loss, Comes Life and New Beginnings

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A reflection from Master Teacher Avi West It looks like the year 2020 will be remembered as one of those pivotal points in history when the world changed. Almost every newscast, television

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Hillel: A Sage for All Seasons…and for a Pandemic

Hillel: A Sage for All Seasons…and for a Pandemic

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A reflection from Avi West, Master Teacher, Federation’s Department of Jewish Leadership & Learning  The coronavirus pandemic has upended our very way of life as a community and unleashed a cascade of crises affecting individuals and society

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Shavuot During COVID-19: How Creativity is Part of this Jewish Holiday’s DNA

Shavuot During COVID-19: How Creativity is Part of this Jewish Holiday’s DNA

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  A reflection from Avi West, Master Teacher, Federation’s Department of Jewish Leadership & Learning  Back in ancient times, Shavuot was an important, yet straightforward, agricultural holiday. To celebrate, an Israelite would make a pilgrimage to the

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Meet Local Hero Dr. Miriam Fischer Wachter

Meet Local Hero Dr. Miriam Fischer Wachter

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In some ways, life for Dr. Miriam Fischer Wachter during the coronavirus pandemic doesn’t feel all that different than it did before. With her husband Eric, she has two small Read more
Purim and Zionism: Hearing the Call to Take Personal Responsibility

Purim and Zionism: Hearing the Call to Take Personal Responsibility

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A reflection from Avi West, Master Teacher of Federation’s Jewish Leadership & Learning Department As Purim approaches, many of us look forward to the costumes, the carnivals, those triangular pastries

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This Purim, Be a Force for Good in the World

This Purim, Be a Force for Good in the World

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  By Avi West, Federation’s Senior Education Officer and Master Teacher As Purim approaches, many of us look forward to the costumes, the carnivals, and “scrolling” through the Book of

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Tu B’Shevat: Let Trees Teach Us to Have Roots and Wings

Tu B’Shevat: Let Trees Teach Us to Have Roots and Wings

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A reflection from Avi West, Master Teacher of Federation’s Jewish Leadership & Learning Department. To develop a deep appreciation of Judaism, one must have a sensitivity to metaphor. All religions Read more
The Miracle of Creative Survival

The Miracle of Creative Survival

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A reflection from Avi West, Master Teacher of Federation’s Jewish Education Department. Chanukah is a deceptively complex and layered holiday. Its roots in ancient times seem somewhat detached from the Read more
Broadening Our Thanksgiving Horizon

Broadening Our Thanksgiving Horizon

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A reflection from Avi West, Master Teacher of Federation’s Jewish Education Department The Jewish Fall Festivals took us on a journey, turning us “inside out.” Yom Kippur, The Day of

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Aspiring to Perfection and Embracing Brokenness

Aspiring to Perfection and Embracing Brokenness

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A Reflection from Avi West, Master Teacher of Federation’s Jewish Education Department Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is marked with penitential prayers and fasting, all focused on repairing our

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