by Rabbi Brian | Nov 30, 2020 | 77% Weekly
Empathy By Jane B. Mayer A wise friend and I were discussing the difficult time so many folks are having right now. We spoke of how the act of extending support and empathy to another often activates discomfort and sometimes even shame in the person on the...
by Rabbi Brian | Nov 20, 2020 | 77% Weekly
Thinking like a push broom—or a leaf blower Jane and I are not engaged in conversation at the moment. We spoke some twenty minutes ago, before I came into the backyard, went to the garden shed, and got the black-moustached push broom that I now push. We are mellow,...
by Rabbi Brian | Oct 30, 2020 | 77% Weekly
The Best $20 I gave away New York City. Manhattan. 2005. I had a presentation in Philly and extended the trip to visit my family of origin. It’s a humid Tuesday afternoon, and I’m picking up my niece at her Spanish language summer School slash day camp. Maya is...
by Rabbi Brian | Oct 30, 2020 | 77% Weekly
Cancel Culture—with God rB:“God, I have some thoughts I need to work out. You mind me using the artifice of an imagined conversation with you?” God:“Fair enough. Glad to help. Go ahead.” rB:“OK, so last night, I’m watching Family Guy with Emmett, and...
by Rabbi Brian | Oct 15, 2020 | 77% Weekly
True Miracles “So whatever is bringing you from Los Angeles to Lynchburg,” asks the woman with the slight southern drawl next to me on the route from Dallas. “This airplane,” I tease and quickly follow up, “but seriously, a mentor of mine invited me to perform as part...
by Rabbi Brian | Oct 8, 2020 | 77% Weekly
Revelation: Love. As is. Not far from the first synagogue where I am working as a rabbi, on Ventura Boulevard, about a mile to the west of Lindsey Avenue, and just east of Balboa, I have a revelation. It happens as Jane and I are eating a sushi dinner. I am a...
