Author Archives: Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

This Rosh Hashana holiday, what is it all about?

Posted on September 9, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Why do we celebrate Rosh Hashana? We often say, “it’s the birthday of the world!” and it is, but… turns out, it’s a bit more complicated than that. According to Rav Uri Sherki, every Jewish holiday is connected to a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Stand up! The King is coming! for Parashat Nitzavim

Posted on September 7, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The Torah portion of ניצבים- Nitzavim – standing guarding and attending – is always read before Rosh Hashana, and as I often say, this is definitely one of my 54 most favorite readings. It is home to the famous לא … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Ki Tavo

Posted on August 31, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

In the process of “going and coming” and of finding balance, Parashat Ki Tavo can be hard to read. So much so that a major part of it is customarily read by many in whisper. It starts all nice with … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

IF you go out, then here’s the list… The Torah portion of Ki Tetze

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Rudyard Kipling wrote his famous poem, “If”, about the first word in this week – and next week’s – Torah portion. Well, maybe. At least this is what comes to my mind this week when reading that “Ki”. “Ki” has … Continue reading →

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

Shoftim & Shotrim: 19S goes to see BlacKkKlansman

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

On my last visit to 19S Bellevue Hospital’s prison “med-surg” floor, R. is asking me to do something for him. This is exactly the sort of opening that prison authorities warn against: “no sooner will you go in there”, say … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

On seeing angels – the Torah portion of Re’e

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

J. is a 50-year-old man. He’s tall and athletic; he walks with a dancing gait – that is, the short distance he’s allowed to do so in the hallway; he has short dreads and a well-trimmed beard, or at least … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Eat a little something”… Parashat Ekev

Posted on August 3, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

This week we read the famous 3 words: ואכלת, ושבעת וברכת – “and you shall eat, and be satisfied and bless’ (Deuteronomy 8:10), and one must wonder: how did this turn into four paragraphs and some blessings and closing singing … Continue reading →

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

Live. Pray. Love – by – Moses

Posted on July 27, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Prayer and hospital go hand in hand. Or maybe it’s prayer and life. I remember a saying: “as long as there are tests, there will be prayers in public schools”. In the end, everybody prays, every blade of grass has … Continue reading →

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

The Power of Goodbye – The Book of Deuteronomy & Shabbat Chazon

Posted on July 19, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The opening scene in the classic movie “Hair”, although set back in Oklahoma, those last minutes between father and son in the quiet foggy early morning, awaiting for the rickety bus to appear around the corner, always remind me of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The People of the Journey & the Journey of the People: Matot-Mas’ei

Posted on July 13, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

L and I are introduced warmly because “you’re both from Israel! isn’t it wonderful?!” I quickly notice that my Hebrew is too fast for her and that she has an accent I can’t quite place. The hospital worker who made … Continue reading →

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