Author Archives: Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

“Lag Same’ach” and other seasonal matters

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Earlier this week, was the 14th of Iyar, a day known as “Pesach Sheni” and for me, coincidentally, the day I commemorated my father’s yahrzeit. Pesach Sheni is often presented as a model for “second chances”. It takes place exactly … Continue reading →

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Love math and more

Posted on April 27, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

In Daf Yomi (the daily Talmud page) we’re reading Masechet Z’vachim or “Tractate Slaughtered Offerings”; 120 pages of detailed descriptions what kind of actions and intentions should there be during the mostly meat sacrifices, which makes me think about meat … Continue reading →

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On memory & celebration, and an invite to see and heal

Posted on April 20, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

When the 8th day of Pesach fell on Shabbat, something happened: the Torah reading in Israel, where there is no 8th day, proceeded to the Torah portions in Leviticus, while those of us in “chutz-la’aretz” stayed one more day with … Continue reading →

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The Sound of Silence

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

My great grandmother, Flora Grünberger, loved ice-skating. In the winter months, when the Oder river would freeze over, she’d take her granddaughter, my mom, bundle up, and go out into the cold. They’d put on their special shoes, hold hands … Continue reading →

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Lovingly passing over, hopping and skipping

Posted on April 5, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The Hebrew word “aviv”, spring, sounds almost the same as “be’ahava”, with love, and is identical in its gymatria. Just a coincidence? We might never know. It’s up to us to choose what we want to see. That too, is … Continue reading →

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Seder Pesach in Bnai Brak Hills

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

It’s almost a regular seder. There is matza and grape juice, a lovely tablecloth and a beautiful seder plate, traditional hagadot and yummy food waiting. As the sun peaks in through the barred windows, it’s time to sit down and … Continue reading →

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Melting our hesitations by the fire

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Tzav, holds the middle point of the verses in the Torah, in the heart of the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus, Vayikra, is the only book whose name begins with a vav – a letter which … Continue reading →

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You got a call… ויקרא

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

It’s Sunday morning and I’m invited to a breakfast where dear friends are the honorees of the FHBA. In my rush to get out (especially with the time change), I didn’t read the fine print to learn more about “HFBA”. … Continue reading →

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Dy Vehoter – Enough & Too much

Posted on March 9, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Penn Station Saturday night. Delayed trains due to weekend storms. A greatly excited crowd, many kipot, skirts and Hebrew, heading to Washington DC. 18,000 people; 4000 of whom are students. Many thousands square feet of meeting rooms. 50 solid hours … Continue reading →

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Light and shadow continues

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Purim in prison: once again, we head north to Bedford Hills Correctional Facility to celebrate Purim and read Megilat Esther with the women there. When we enter, we’re informed that there is a package for ‘us’: the New York Board … Continue reading →

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