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Gratefulness connects us up to the great flow of receptivity and generosity. When we begin the day in gratefulness, we step on to the path of love. מוֹדֶה אֲנִי לְפָנֶיךָ רוח חַי וְקַיָּם שֶהֶחֱזַרְתָּ בִּי נִשְׁמָתִי בְחֶמְלָה, רַבָּה אֱמוּנָתֶךָ Modeh ah-nee lifanecha, Ru-ach chai v’kayam, she-hechezarta bee nishma-tee b’chemlah rabbah emunatecha!  I give thanks before you, living and eternal Spirit, for You have returned within me my soul with compassion; how great is Your faith in me!

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Praised are you, Source of Life Who has created the skies and the universe, The magic of darkness and light Blessed are the cycles that guide us Day and night, month and season Never missing their cue Blessed are the moon and stars The crowns of our earth Moving in splendid constellations May we accept the planetary wisdom To welcome time’s rhythm Of change and return May we shine with the stars And spread light to all beings Born from the...

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Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife (https://www.keshirahalev.com) offers eight questions to guide us in reflection as we wind down 2020 and look ahead to 2021. Inspired by the great teacher, Rabbi Shammai, who starts Hanukkah with eight candles lit and ends with just one candle, this ritual invites us to count down and release as we move toward (and embrace) the darkest part of the year.  8) What is something you're ready to leave in 2020?  7) What is something you have less...

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No touch football this Thanksgiving? No problem! Here are is a Zoom game that everyone can play! Just like with real-life games, it’s helpful if someone volunteers to be the organizer/leader in advance to help keep things moving! TWO SCAVENGER HUNTS! ONE WILL HAVE YOU RUNNING AROUND YOUR HOUSE AND THE OTHER WILL HAVE YOU GOOGLING LIKE CRAZY! IN REAL LIFE SCAVENGER HUNT: Below is a list of items you might have in your house. You may be thinking, “Sure I...

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Food that is eaten daily can be taken for granted. One of the ways Judaism helps us to keep our sense of appreciation alive is by instituting blessings to be said before and after eating. Wonder or radical amazement is the chief characteristic of the religious man’s attitude toward history and nature. One attitude is alien to his spirit: taking things for granted, regarding events as a natural course of things. To the prophets, wonder is a form of thinking. It...

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Fill a glass with wine or grape juice. The word kiddush, means holy. This moment, just before we take a sip, will only happen once. Savor it as you say this blessing, then drink.   בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הַגָּפֶן Baruch ata Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri hagafen. Blessed are you, Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine. 

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One of the best things about Chanukah is how easy it is to customize for your family or friends. Say some blessings, light some candles, eat some latkes or donuts if you’re into that. Add presents if needed. Repeat x7. This leaves lots of room for you to make the holiday your own. You can write your own blessings, or make your own menorah.  Chanukah can be as low key or as high impact as you like. We’re getting you started...