Living the dream...

Birthing Worlds of Compassion Erev Rosh Hashanah ~ 1 Tishrei 5774 Rabbi Jennifer Gubitz Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland, MA Wandering the streets, his clothes ragged and tattered, his shoes threadbare and his hair bedraggled and disheveled, full of passion Jeremiah zealously and fervently entered the town square.  It was market day and people gathered around stalls of spices, booths of breads, bushels of produce, wagons of home goods, and tables where scholars and their students hunched over, swaying back and forth learning, almost singing, ancient texts. Surely, people will hear me this time, he hoped.  They cannot ignore me if I yell loudly enough!  He could feel a passion welling up inside as he reflected: Even if they don’t look at me, because they never look at me, at the very least while they shop, perhaps just this once they might stop and listen - even for a moment. And then Jeremiah began to shout these words which are read on the second day of Rosh...

Shabbat Shuva: No Return Limit September 21, 2012 ~ 6 Tishrei 5773 Rabbi Jen Gubitz The entire subway ride, I geared up.  I practiced what I might say: my demeanor, my smile, my defense, if necessary. Would they listen? Would they agree? Would they allow for my return? And then, I entered the Apple Store in Chelsea, graciously greeted the first clerk I saw, and went for it: “Hi,” I began. “16 days ago, I purchased a new laptop.  The reason I purchased a new laptop is because mine was stolen from the synagogue where I work. And I’m a rabbi.  Well not really, but I’m going to be one, and it was two days before Rosh Hashanah when it was stolen.  I knew you might come out with a new model, but I needed one right then.  So I bought it - but then we had Sukkot (which is this crazy Jewish holiday where we dwell in booths even though people in New York barely can afford to dwell in apartments) and as you can see, I’m a few days past the return date....