Category Archives: life and some

In Darkness and in Light

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

It’s told about king Solomon that when he was a young boy, his teacher said to him,’I’ll give you an apple if you tell me where is G-d’, ‘and little king Solomon, who already was the wisest of all people, … Continue reading →

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Why Moses?

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Maybe it’s the Torah’s way of warning us how easy it is to go “down”, for within just a few verses, life has changed very dramatically! No longer in the Land of Israel, we’re living in Egypt; no longer a … Continue reading →

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Had my father been alive… (גם בעברית, אחרי התמונות)

Posted on January 6, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Had my father been alive, today would have been his 95th birthday. Because of the magic of the calendar (95 being 19X5), this is both his Gregorian and Hebrew day: January 6th, the full moon of the month of Tevet. … Continue reading →

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Lessons from the first expat, Joseph Jacob-son

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Joseph is the first expat. Different from his great-grandpa Abraham, who was born in the diaspora and made aliya; different from his father Jacob who went to exile for a few years, got himself together, and actually came back, Joseph … Continue reading →

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Light One Candle II: The Blinding Power of Hatred

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

How come the brothers didn’t recognize Joseph? On occasion I run into a past student of mine, then in grade school and now a young adult. They obviously have changed, and yet, it doesn’t take long before we go, ‘Oh … Continue reading →

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ReJewvenate @ Pardes

Posted on December 7, 2014 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

“ReJewvenate @ Pardes” is an opportunity for someone in the 40 plus age group who has not experienced immersive Jewish learning, to receive a grant from reJewvenate for Pardes’ three weeks summer program. With the support of generous donors, we … Continue reading →

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katonti – קטונתי – and Jacob’s split life

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

A couple of years ago, Israeli dance choreographer Oren Ashkenazi choreographed the beautiful and by now famous dance “Katonti”. The words for the song, sung by Yonatan Raz’el are said to be “from the sources”, min hamekorot. Those “sources” happen … Continue reading →

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On Jacob’s Journey, Thanksgiving & Black Friday

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Like his grandfather, like his great-great-grandchildren, and like us too, Jacob set on a journey, and so, the opening word – and the name – of this week’s reading is vayetze, “and (he) exited”. Rashi points to us the fact … Continue reading →

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Oakland

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Oakland, the evening after Ferguson; Oakland after Michael Brown; Oakland after Trayvon Martin; Oakland after Oscar Grant; Oakland after the Super Bowl of 2003. And that of 2009. My son and I take Zoe, our golden-lab for a walk and … Continue reading →

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Isaac: not the usual strength

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Michal Kohane מיכל כהנא

Isaac and Rebecca are only with us for one, not-too-long Torah portion. We already met them last week: him in his walking, silent meditation; her, working hard at the well to water the servant’s camels, chatting happily, making bold decisions. … Continue reading →

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