Wedding Music

Here are three songs which caught my ear of late and I thought would make great, fresh, modern first dance songs and a couple of the lyrics that really made me go, “awwww..”

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On the Loss of Pets

Apr 09, 10 On the Loss of Pets

Posted by in Deaths

I awoke this morning to find my beloved pet rabbit, Derby, had left this world.  I was up before the sun, which is normal, came down to do yoga and found him.  I am not one to call a pet my “baby” and I don’t consider them “people.”   But, this precious creature is one of several rabbits that have been entrusted to my care and enriched my life.  The first thing to escape my lips when I saw him and realized what had happened, was “Baruch Dayan Emet” – blessed is the true judge. My husband and I grieved and buried him in the yard.  Then I showered and said my morning prayers.  I don’t think it’s appropriate to say Kaddish for a pet, at least not for me, so I’ll be looking for a way to acknowledge this hole in my life, my home, and my family. Most likely I’ll begin by adding an extra candle to my Shabbat candles for tonight.  The prayer I said after we buried him was: Blessed are you Holy One, the true judge Blessed are you Holy One, who gives and takes Blessed are you Holy One, who gave this creature into my care Blessed are you Holy One, who gives and takes Blessed are you Holy One, the true judge Life will go on.  But there is still sadness and a hole that will need to be...

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Rites of Passage

Oct 18, 09 Rites of Passage

Posted by in Births, Life Milestones, Personal Exploration, Weddings

October is a busy month for me this year. I had known for several months that I would be officiating a Simchat Bat (Blessing of the Daughter), but all of a sudden I had a wedding to officiate and another baby blessing!

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Yarzheit of Rachel Imeinu

Today is the 11 of Cheshvan, and it is the historical Yahrzteit of Rachel Imeinu (Rachel the Matriarch). I don’t have a new ritual for this year, so forgive the reposting of the one I posted a couple of years ago. This ritual can be used to honor Rachel Imeinu or any ancestor. This is a simple solitary ritual, which can easily be adapted for a group. If you are interested in exploring a ritual specifically developed for a group, see Ceremony for the 11th of Cheshvan by Rabbi Jill Hammer. Photo Credit: New Jewish fruit in Kibbutz Matzuva Copyrights: Max Nathans 2007 Ritual for Remembering Rachel Imeinu Originally posted on 11.05.2005 / 9th of Cheshvan 5766 May the blessings of our mother be carried through to each generation. Needs: 1 Pomegranate 1 Tea Light Small stones to represent specific ancestors Small dish (big enough to hold all items listed above) How to Peel a Pomegranate Take the pomegranate and cut of the crown, being careful to not cut into seeds. Score the rind from crown to base into 6 sections. Place pomegranate in large bowl filled with cold water. The pomegranate should float upright. If you like, spin the pomegranate in the water and focus on it while meditating. Leave the pomegranate in the water for 5-10 minutes. Then peel of the rind and let the seed drop to the bottom. You can then skim the rind off the top and drain the water, leaving just the seeds. Place your tealight in the dish and pour the pomegranate seeds around it. I often use only half of the seeds. Place your stones either along the edge of the dish or inside it against the tealight, whatever works for you. Place the dish on the altar and light your candle. The seeds are for the generations of ancestors, the stones for those you wish to specifically honor. Recite Kaddish and poems or prayers that speak to the spirit of Rachel Imeinu. Here are several...

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DIY Earth-based Judaism Calendar

Since I know I won’t be able to finish a new edition of the Jewitch Calendar for 2007, I’m really happy to be able to share this with you! I stumbled across the Ecological Calendar at one of my favorite little shops in Takoma Park. I bought a copy as a gift for a friend, but then I realized it’s a great foundation for an Earth-based Judaism calendar. I usually just use my trusty Palm Pilot, but I think this year I’m going add this paper calendar to my life as a journal. The weekly planner calendar has big colorful panels that show you what’s happening in the natural world each week. It’s a great way to connect the passage of time on a calendar to the cycles of the seasons. Each panel starts in the heavens and shows you the stars and then moves down to the solar and lunar cycles, the tides, and the earth. Now – just image seeing all that and the Jewish holidays on the same page! You can see lots of pictures at www.ecocalendar.info. So join me in this DIY experiment and tell me how it works for you. You can get a customized calendar of Jewish holidays including weekly parshat and candle lighting times (customized by where you live) at www.hebcal.com. And yes, I noticed it’s published by Pomegranate. That’s just a coincidence…or is it? 😉 [tags]jewish calendar, jewitch calendar, earth-based judaism, ecological...

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Yahrzeit of Miriam

After reading the amazing “ritual fantasy” on Telshemesh.org and some other great writings about Miriam the prophetess. I am compelled to call out the anniversary of her death (10th Nisan). I think tonight I will go home and light some floating candles in water for her. It seems appropriate. “The Israelites came, the whole community, to the wilderness of Tzin, on the first new moon. Miriam died there and was buried there. The community was without water, and they joined against Moses and Aaron.” Numbers 20:1-2 “There were three good shepherds in Israel: Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. Because of them, Israel received three gifts: the manna because of Moses, the well because of Miriam, and the clouds of glory because of Aaron. When Miriam died the well dried up…” Song of Songs Rabbah 4:14 As we say in Becoming, when we honor water in the world, “May you never...

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