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Chaverim y'karim ~ Dear friends,
We all know how the news "cycle" can be exhausting and disturbing. I am both a news junkie and then sometimes I just can’t listen to any more analyses of anything! The situation in Israel, the reports of antisemitism from all over the world (see this recent article for an upsetting example), constant changes in war/ceasefire with Iran... While I know that it is important to be informed, for my own mental health I have to set limits.
I have a very good recommendation (from my wife) that the book The Correspondent by Virginia Evans is an outstanding distraction to what is going on around us. And yet, it seems it might be a remarkably good book for what is going on within us - particularly as we near the High Holy Days. Yes, the HHDs are just a couple of months away, so Amy and I are both knee-deep in sermon preparations and thinking. In Amy's words, "I LOVED the book. I devoured it in just a few sittings. The book is about a woman, Sybil Van Antwerp, who is a witty, smart, sharp-tongued, grumpy 73 year-old retired lawyer. Sybil is a mother and grandmother, a thoughtful reader and an avid gardener. She also loves writing letters. Most mornings she sits down to write letters to her friends, children, or even famous writers whom she admires and others who make their way into her life. The plot unfolds entirely through letters. I loved the way the plot unfolded and saw so many moments that were begging for discussion and reflection."
And so ... I'm going to read the book and hope we can have a pre-High Holy Day discussion in August. Amy assures me the book has a lot to say how we, as humans, search to live a life with meaning and connection. Join me for a discussion of the book on either Tuesday, August 18 during our Lunch & Learn at Noon or for those who might not be able to make a noontime meeting, join me on Zoom Wednesday evening, August 19 at 7:30pm. Please RSVP to Shannon Nelson (admin@tsholom.org) so I will know who to expect for Lunch & Learn or the Wednesday Zoom (and I'll send you a Zoom link!).
Wishing you a shavua tov,
Rabbi Mark Cohn
In the meantime, of course, I am still watching the news, reading articles, and listening to podcasts :) - here are a few that have come across my screen:
4,500 Blessings: What happens when Jewish parents become priests (29 May 2026) by Mijal Bitton in her Substack, Committed. Give her column a read, dig into some of her thoughts and research, and consider sharing - or expanding - your blessing with your children or grandchildren next Shabbat.
The Moment of Truth for HUC (29 May 2026) by Rabbi Samantha Kahn in her blog on The Times of Israel. This touches home very closely as the conference which Rabbi Kahn addresses is one which I attended last week. The discussion surrounding the Hebrew Union College (the Reform Jewish Seminary) and antizionism is a vital one. On this topic, I also recommend a worthwhile - post from Rabbi Asher Knight, "For the last few years, a disagreement has been building in the Reform Movement..." from his Facebook page.
Great Americans: The Mensch on the Mound (01 June 2026) by Joseph Epstein in The Free Press. I'm no Dodgers fan (Go Giants!) and I sure value this Jewish Hall of Famer.
The History of Black-Jewish Relations and how it unravelled - with Coleman Hughes (28 May 2026) on Dan Senor's podcast, Call Me Back. Two great minds take on a topic of deep meaning today.
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