Rev. Chani's Blog

This year, on Passover, my family will add a seashell to our seder plate. The kind you put to your ear and listen for the sound of the ocean. It is a new ritual to honor the moment we are in. This year, we want to listen more than speak. We honor that we are all holding truths, we are all in pain, we are all in our own way devastated by what is going on. 

I was speaking to a friend yesterday about my forthcoming book. We were discussing what quote I would like to use on the back cover. My initial thought was a quote from Mary Oliver, “What is it that you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Last night, on the fourth night of Chanukah, I sat with family, looking at the flames, eating some latkes. We talked about the holiday and how difficult it was to celebrate this year. 

As I sit here re-reading this Yom Kippur reflection, I notice that this may be overwhelming for some, it discusses requirements of arranged marriage and the practice of hair-shaving for religious purposes. Please read with care and put it aside if it stirs up too much. 

I am not one of those people who look at the New Year as a time to write up goals or resolutions. To me the Jewish New Year has always been about reflecting, noticing where I am, what is working, and what I would like to change. It is a time to observe what is, and figure out where to go from there.

In the Book of Esther, which is read on the Jewish holiday of Purim, we find that after Esther finds out about the plot to kill the Jews she invites her husband, the king, as well as his advisor Haman to a banquet.