There is no difference between holding a wedding at Auschwitz and holding a wedding at a slave plantation. Torah is a living word and this week’s Torah portion, Parsha Behar addresses what is happening. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: Celebrations Must Not Be Held in Evil Places Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Holocaust, International, Jewish History, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAWe live in a culture of instant gratification, where patience can feel like a relic of the past. Yet, the Omer period compels us to slow down, to be present, to acknowledge the passage of time with intention. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: Marking Time with Intention Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWe find at its core two seemingly distinct yet deeply intertwined commandments: “You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin” (Leviticus 19:36), and the often heard principle, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18). [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: K’doshim Calls for Love and Ethical Behavior Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Business & Finance, International, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAOn the surface, a hip-hop musical about an American Founding Father might seem worlds away from the Counting of the Omer (which we are doing now, on our way to Shavuot). However, when we delve into the underlying themes of both, some intriguing parallels emerge, especially concerning progress, reflection, and the anticipation of something significant. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Parallels Between the Musical ‘Hamilton’ and Counting the Omer Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Theatre, Film & Broadcast, USAThe Torah’s association of tzara’at with spiritual failings serves as a cautionary tale against evil words. We must remain persistent in calling for healing words: legislation that unifies, that promotes inclusion of everyone, not promoting one group over another, or falsely blaming or attacking another group for allegedly having what we want but don’t have. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: This Week’s Portion Warns against Evil Speech Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Opinion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsHundreds of community leaders, philanthropists, and dedicated supporters gathered to celebrate JFS’s vital work and honor those who champion its mission of building a stronger, healthier, and more resilient San Diego. [Barrett Holman Leak]
JFS Reaches a New Fundraising Record with Heart & Soul Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Lifestyles, Philanthropy & Volunteerism, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined ContributorsWe are in a sacred space and time, I would even say it is a spiritual countdown. Right after we celebrate the flight from Egypt at Pesach/Passover, we start something called Sefirat HaOmer – Counting the Sheafs! [Barrett Holman Leak]
Sacred Space in Time: Counting the Omer Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined ContributorsLike Nadav and Avihu, who in their spiritual fervor sought to draw closer to the Divine, Hamilton possessed an intense inner fire, a relentless drive to shape the future of his adopted country. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah: Hamilton Tragedy Mirrors Nadav’s and Avihu’s Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Lifestyles, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Technology, USAUnder Project Esther, the cause of fighting antisemitism will be used as cover to attack and take funds away from American universities and colleges, state educational programs, local schools, and online academia, among other entities. [Barrett Holman Leak]
OpEd: ‘Project Esther’ Will Not Save Us; Just the Reverse Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Opinion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USA
The last week has been filled with many words and ten times as much food, with various seders at people’s homes. A very important one took place this year, symbolizing hopes for more liberation through unity. [Barrett Holman Leak]
ADL Seder Highlights Allyship with Other Communities Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Holocaust, Jewish Religion, San Diego County, Staff and Bylined Contributors, Travel and FoodWhile I have always known I was born B’tzelem Elohim (in the image of God), as a child and through college, I saw many rabbis, but did not see anyone on the bima who looked like me. No one female. Definitely no Black female rabbis. Eventually, I learned there were some women rabbis, and in 2009, one African American woman rabbi was ordained in the Reform tradition. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah, Parsha Tsav: We Are Each Called Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAThis narrative bursting with the anticipation of sacred inauguration, abruptly descends into the chilling silence of loss. The joyous celebration, the culmination of meticulous preparation, is shattered by the sudden, devastating demise of Nadav and Avihu, Aaron’s sons – a consuming fire that leaves Aaron speechless. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah, Parsha Shemini: Loss, Grief and Community Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAWhile they share Jewish roots with American Jews, there can be cultural differences, different social customs and ways of practicing Judaism. Most Israeli Americans are Conservative or Orthodox, not Reform or Reconstructionist. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah Lesson: Parshat Pekudei Read More »
Antisemitism, Barrett Holman Leak, Israel, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors, USAWe must remember that what hurts you will also eventually hurt me and that we, the collective we, will not survive. Community is where we find God. Our relationship with God is We-Thou, not I-Thou. Kehillah is where we restore our ethics, morals, and virtues. [Barrett Holman Leak]
Contemporary Torah, Parsha Vayakhel: Called to Community Read More »
Barrett Holman Leak, Jewish Religion, Staff and Bylined Contributors