Rabbi Jennifer Lewis

As we prepare to celebrate Passover together, beginning the evening of Saturday, April 12, we also note the start of the Hebrew month of Nisan. The trees and flowers are finally blooming in Terre Haute (and Cincinnati)! The Festival of Freedom will soon be upon us.

And yet, the transitional period from Winter to Spring, beautiful as it may be, comes with its challenges. Allergy season is here, for one! But seriously, as Winter fades and Summer is on the horizon, I am reminded of the wisdom of Rabbi Nachman of Brazlov : “The world is a narrow bridge; the most important thing is not to fear at all.”

Our tradition celebrates our journey from enslavement to freedom, also a time of great uncertainty. Moving from any profound period of change—from stability to uncertainty—can be frightening. This is true whether that change is economic, political, social, personal or spiritual.

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As we enter the joyous month of Adar, and in honor of the upside-down silliness often accompanying the holiday of Purim, I asked artificial Intelligence (a.k.a. “AI”) to come up with a Torah teaching for our next Shabbat together that combined sitting in a Starbucks and writing this month’s newsletter. Here is a snippet of the Al version:

“This week, as I sit in a cozy corner of my local Starbucks, I find myself reflecting on Parashat Ki Tisa and its timeless teachings. The bustling environment around me, filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of conversations, provides an ideal backdrop for contemplating the profound messages within this portion. Ki Tissa reminds us of the essential balance between our spiritual commitments and earthly responsibilities, a theme that feels particularly relevant in our fast-paced, modem lives.”

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Happy Tu B’shvat, the Jewish Birthday of the Trees!

This year, the holiday (15 of Shevat on the Jewish calendar) begins on Wednesday evening, Feb. 12, and extends through sundown Thursday, Feb. 13.

In Israel — and other areas with a Mediterranean climate — almond trees begin to bloom and spring is in the air. Although spring will not be with us for a few months here in the Midwest, we reflect on the meaning of this holy occasion in the days and weeks to come.

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The recently concluded week before Thanksgiving gave my Ohio family the opportunity to fly out of town and reunite with relatives on the East Coast for both a simcha (joyous celebration) and an unveiling ceremony (memorial following the one-year anniversary of the death of my beloved Aunt Becky).

With gratitude for sharing those occasions with family, my thoughts shifted to the month of Kislev, which brings preparations for Hanukkah.

As winter approaches, each day becomes colder and darker, and the change can be disconcerting. Although we prepare for the joy of Hanukkah during this time, we experience a reduction of light in our days, which evokes somber emotions.

We look forward to the traditional latkes (potato pancakes) or sufganiot (fried donuts), festive songs and feelings of warmth and comfort that the season brings. We celebrate the joy of a home with loved ones, but we also commemorate the history of our ancient Temple that after being destroyed was rededicated. We search for value and meaning in these moments.

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