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Namaste Friends,
When I finished my studies at Hebrew Union College many years ago, I was seeking a spiritual home and my first pulpit was Temple Shalom in Dallas Texas. It's sanctuary became my space and my place for practicing the craft that I had studied for years but had no practical experience in a full time position. The members of the congregation became my family and embraced my youth with warmth and optimism. Rabbi Ken Roseman, of sacred memory, taught me a lot of what I needed to know to become a functioning Cantor. The wisdom he imparted to me is still the foundation of my clergy practice today. When I met my husband Andy and had my children, I felt torn between motherhood and career and ultimately needed to make more space for them and my family. In retrospect, everything happened for a reason and our move to Des Moines. Iowa gave me and Andy the time to raise our kids with mindfulness and care. It also gave me time to write music, poetry and practice yoga. Even though we moved a few more times, our children were always a priority for us. We ended up in Baltimore, where they attended Sudbrook Magnet Middle School and that experience changed the trajectory of their lives. All of the events that have happened since I began my career in Dallas were opportunities for me and my family to open space and allow life to unfold before us. The deaths of my brother Danny, mother Shirley and Sister Sharon in a one year period forced me to open a darker space for mourning which led me to write a book about Jewish Yoga and a collection of poetry. It also inspired me to compose more healing music and seek my second Ordination with Aleph Alliance for Jewish renewal. All of these pathways allowed space for me to express the emotions I'm feeling in creative ways and for each of them I feel extremely blessed and grateful. This week I am returning to Temple Shalom where it all began, to celebrate Shabbat with dear colleagues, family and friends! I look forward to expressing my appreciation to all of them for giving me a creative and welcoming congregation in which to experiment with worship art and launch my career. My prayer for all of us is that we pause and appreciate the many paths which have contributed to who we are today and celebrate the space it gifted us!
This week is all about opening space in our minds, bodies and spirits for joy. Let’s celebrate the month of Adar with an hour of mindful practice dedicated to awakening energy pathways that allow us to flow with the river! This practice can be done in a chair or on the mat and has something for everyone and is tracked to sacred chant. Hit the zoom room button to join!
Many Blessings for Peace,
Reb Lisa
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