Author Archives: naomi

NASHUVA Chanukah Shabbat–Invite your Friends! Friday, December 3 6:45pm – 9:30pm Brentwood Presbyterian Church 12000 San Vicente Boulevard Los Angeles, CA Come for an amazing experience of song and prayer and great Chanukah food (sufganiyot, gelt…). In the SOCIAL HALL … Continue reading →

For the laughter of the children, For my own life breath, For the abundance of food on this table, For the ones who prepared this sumptuous feast, For the roof over our heads, The clothes on our backs, For our … Continue reading →

I had breakfast over the weekend with six-time academy award winning producer, Arthur Cohen and human rights activist, Natan Sharansky.  Two extraordinary men.  I spent my childhood wearing a necklace with Sharansky’s name on it, praying for his release and … Continue reading →

I long to change the world, but I rarely appreciate things as they are. I know how to give, but I don’t always know how to receive. I know how to keep busy, but I don’t know how to be … Continue reading →

Help me, God, to control my tongue. My words have caused far too much pain. Remind me that my words can cause joy. My words can praise, enlighten, encourage, inspire. My words can comfort, my words can heal. Place wisdom … Continue reading →

How has my anger poisoned my relationships? Who I have hurt? What do I wish I could take back? What can I do to restrain myself when I feel my temper bubbling up inside? We all have so much more … Continue reading →

What have I been meaning to do, wanting to do, but not doing? What is standing in the way? What are my excuses? Can I get beyond my own obstacles? Spend time quietly and start with one small item on … Continue reading →

“Envy, lust, and pride remove a person from this world” (Avot 4:28) Whom do I envy? Why? How does envy affect my life? How does it poison my experience of joy? Breathe. Remember and know that you are unique, not … Continue reading →

For each meditation, take time to be alone. Sit up tall, quietly. Read the meditation then put your computer to sleep. Turn off the phone. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply, evenly, in and out. Allow your muscles to relax. Imagine … Continue reading →

So Elul comes to us every year to give us a month to prepare for the High Holy Days instead of cramming our teshuva in at the last minute. We keep asking God to open the gates for us. But … Continue reading →