Author Archives: Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Punxsutawney, Dali, Moses & Aaron – The Torah portion of “Bo”

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Bill Murray, playing weatherman Phil Connors, heads to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to cover the Groundhog Day festivities, not in the least hiding his contempt for the assignment, the small town, and the “hicks” who live there. But then, rather than making … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

To Be Seen – the Torah Portion of Va’era

Posted on January 4, 2019 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

There are three sets of 10’s in our tradition: Ten Utterances with which the world was created, the Ten Plagues, and the upcoming Ten Commandments, and with each one we have to wonder: why couldn’t G-d create the world with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

We’re all strings in David’s harp – the Torah portion of Sh’mot

Posted on December 28, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

“We’re all strings in David’s harp”, said Joey Weisenberg at this week’s Hadar’s Singing Communities Intensive, four days of non-stop soulful singing, which he runs with his incredibly talented ensemble. It’s hard to write when one’s head is full of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

To be… that is the Blessing – the Torah portion of Vayechi

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Jacob and Joseph share many traits: both stay back in the tent with their parent; are young and favorite; have fantastic dreams and have great cries. Both will die in this week’s reading, and both will be particular about their … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Re-meeting Joseph and his Brothers – Vayigash

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

We often listen to those who speak – the louder, the more attention, but what about those who don’t say a word?? Who is it that noticeably doesn’t speak, even though all the brothers are up in arms for him? … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Joseph, Olive Oil & Chag Habanot – 3 shorts for Shabbat Hanukkah-Rosh Hodesh Tevet

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Exactly XX year ago, Miketz was the Torah reading on my Bat Mitzvah, and some years later, and many miles away, my son’s too. The bat mitzvah was at the reform synagogue, Ohr Chadash (a new light) in Haifa, Israel. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Vayeshev” (sitting) in Darkness (with a twinkling light far away….)

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

In the opening verse of this week’s Torah portion is says: א וַיֵּשֶׁב יַעֲקֹב, בְּאֶרֶץ מְגוּרֵי אָבִיו–בְּאֶרֶץ, כְּנָעַן. 1 And Jacob dwelt in the land of his father’s sojourning, in the land of Canaan. There are two verbs to describe … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

No Hollywood in Jacob’s journey – 3 shorts on Parashat Vayishlach

Posted on November 23, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

It’s a glorious sunny day in NYC, bright and beautiful. And 30 degrees. Fahrenheit. Need to layered up some, and remember that things are not always as they seem. In the Torah portion of Vayishlach, Jacob is traveling back after … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Two Jacobs, One Yisrael – Vayetze

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Leaving NYC in the height of its first seasonal snowstorm, we land in Oakland CA, where the sky is a hazy pinkish-white with air quality ranking “the worst in the world”. There’s a strong recommendation not to leave indoor spaces, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Next up, “the future”

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Last week Yitzchak (Isaac) brought Rivkah (Rebecca) into his mother’s tent in what seems to be a sweet gesture: ויבאה יצחק האהלה שרה אמו ויקח את־רבקה ותהי־לו לאשה ויאהבה וינחם יצחק אחרי אמו Isaac brought her into the tent of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment