Category Archives: Uncategorized

Shoftim & Shotrim: 19S goes to see BlacKkKlansman

Posted on August 17, 2018 by

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 →

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On seeing angels – the Torah portion of Re’e

Posted on August 10, 2018 by

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 →

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“Eat a little something”… Parashat Ekev

Posted on August 3, 2018 by

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 →

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Live. Pray. Love – by – Moses

Posted on July 27, 2018 by

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 →

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

Posted on July 19, 2018 by

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 →

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

Posted on July 13, 2018 by

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 →

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From Moses, Pinchas and “The Daughters”, to Joseph

Posted on July 5, 2018 by

Last Sunday was the 17th of Tammuz, a fast day, which according to tradition, commemorates five calamities which befell the Jewish people on this day: 1. Moses broke the two tablets of stone on Mount Sinai; 2. The daily tamid … Continue reading →

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