by Seth Brooks (UAlbany 2020) at Sukkot Nights I and II Farbrengens 2019 UAlbany

LAVUD – The Gap in the Wall

As someone growing in my Jewish learning and observance, we often feel that there are gaps and spaces in … Read the rest

We happened to get a big anniversary edition of Babar (the elephant king) out of the library. It dates back to to France in the 1930’s but it is an enduring classic remaining popular with children to this day. Babar … Read the rest

In some ways our generation has opportunities and abilities that surpass anything in the past. We have technology at our fingertips that used to be the stuff of science fiction, ease of communication, incredible access to information, and much more. … Read the rest

I just learned this year that there’s an allusion to Rabbi Akiva in Kol Nidrei at the opening of the Yom Kippur services. The final letters of אור זרוע לצדיק ולישרי לב שמחה spell ר עקיבה (though usually with alef … Read the rest

As a Rabbi and teacher and parent, I’m not one to advocate for skipping classes. The primary purpose and function of a University is to get your education, and you ought to maximize every opportunity to do so. Get work … Read the rest

There’s a great little kids book about Sesame Street’s furry lovable Grover titled “There’s a Monster at the end of this Book”.

Grover is so frightened by the title, he does everything within his power (and then some!) to keep … Read the rest

The question “going around the table” was: Share something about an area of improvement, growth, or change as we enter the Jewish new year 5780….

I’d like to try to more out in nature: hikes, walks, even spending more time … Read the rest

It all came together last minute on Thursday, but we decided to go with a Black and White Shabbat theme. Here’s the backstory:

It so happens that we have a local Israeli family visiting for Shabbos, the father worked as … Read the rest

I saw both of these jokes just before Rosh Hashanah and realized that in addition to the humor, they also carry High Holiday truths and messages. 

THE MEMORIAL PLAQUE

A young boy was standing in the synagogue looking up at … Read the rest

First a word about Windows 7 this Fall 2019:

This tech issue won’t affect most of you in 2019, as most of you (Apple folks aside) have laptops made after Windows 7, most of you should be running Windows 10 … Read the rest