Author Archives: Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Plaid Friday: life lessons from recent shoe shopping

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

In Oakland, we have Plaid – rather than Black – Friday. But no matter how it’s called, shopping and I have never been great friends. On a list of my top 10 favorite activities, shopping will come in a close … Continue reading →

Posted in life and some | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Heading out: on the need to journey

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Why did Jacob leave his parents’ home for Haran? Of course, we “know”: he had to run away from Esau, his brother, who was going to kill him for stealing his blessing. But then, there are so many places he … Continue reading →

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

First Love, part II

Posted on November 7, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Abraham, who first encountered love in the most unexpected circumstances, bequeathed it to his son, Isaac, who in turn shared it with his wife, Rebecca. Thus, the first love between a man and a woman in the Torah was born, … Continue reading →

Posted in life and some, shabbat shalom, פרשת השבוע לחילוני האדוק | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

ReJewvenate @ Pardes, Summer 2015

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

ReJewvenate @ Pardes, Summer 2015 Two letters from our “ReJewvenators” who participated at Pardes Summer Institute this past summer through the ReJewvenate grant.Apply for next year, if you’re over 40, interested in immersive Jewish learning and haven’t had an opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

First Love

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The Torah reading for this week is packed with famous stories. Abraham and Sarah and their generous hospitality; the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah; the birth if Isaac, the expulsion of Yishma’el; the binding of Isaac. And somewhere near the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

That Too –

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

On a bus the other day in Israel. The usual crowd. The usual route. Then someone notices something suspicious. “An Arab!”, he yells out “Get the police!” The dark skinned young man looks around and realizes he’s the one. He … Continue reading →

Posted in shabbat shalom, פרשת השבוע לחילוני האדוק | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Noah, his wife and some

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Noah’s wife. Perhaps the most unsung hero of the Bible. “Hi Honey, how’s your day? I just got great news! you and me with our three lovely children and daughters in law, are going on a dream cruise! I’m just … Continue reading →

Posted in life and some, shabbat shalom, פרשת השבוע לחילוני האדוק | 2 Comments

Few Thoughts for Rosh Hashana

Posted on September 13, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

I spend Shabbat rummaging through a box of old letters from the mid-late 1980’s to mid 1990’s, real letters, thin paper, bluish aerograms, (a word that Microsoft Word doesn’t even know), glorious postcards from around the globe, colorful cards, beautiful … Continue reading →

Posted in life and some, shabbat shalom, פרשת השבוע לחילוני האדוק | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Alef and new beginnings

Posted on August 29, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

The first graders end the first week of school with a circle of the floor. I ask them to think of something they are thankful for, before leaving for Shabbat. Some are thankful or P.S., some for math. Some are thankful … Continue reading →

Posted in life and some, shabbat shalom, פרשת השבוע לחילוני האדוק | 2 Comments

On Seeing, Flow and More

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

We open our eyes each morning, and see. But then, if it was so simple, there would be no need to actually command us to do so. Re’e, see, says the Torah in its first word of this week’s section … Continue reading →

Posted in life and some, shabbat shalom, פרשת השבוע לחילוני האדוק | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments