by RabbiOlivier | May 15, 2015 | Adult Learning, Community, Events, Poland, Prague, Shoah
What a magical day! I am always pleased when I talked to the people in the group and at the end of the first day and they tell me that it feels like we’ve been here for a week, so much has happened. And yes, so much has. I can’t believe myself it’s only been one day....
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 23, 2012 | Community, Events, General, Israel, Shabbat
Our last Friday in Israel might have been the cherry on top of our traveling cake. That morning, a few of us made our way to the Hebrew University atop Mount Scopus where I studied for a few years in the early 90’s. Our little group went to the Hecht Synagogue on...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 20, 2012 | Community, Events, General, Israel
Do you know why Jana called her tour company “Kesem”? That’s because Kesem means “magic” in Hebrew, and she wanted to set the Kavanah—the intention—for the trips to Israel to be magical. This has been my third trip to Israel with Jana, and each one has been more...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 19, 2012 | Community, Events, General, Israel
Our plan was simple. We were going to stop in the Druze village of Peki’in mostly because it is connected to Kabbalistic mythology and because Jana had arranged for our group to experience Druze hospitality at a dinner that evening. Peki’in is connected to Kabbalah...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 16, 2012 | Community, General, Israel
Following our magical encounters yesterday, I wanted to continue practicing awe and letting myself be surprised by whatever was to arise for me today. In fact, I had made it part of my guiding through our morning meditation. It is amazing what can happen when we...
by RabbiOlivier | Dec 15, 2012 | Community, Events, General, Israel
We spent part of the day at the beach in Tel Aviv today. It was good, on this second day, to be able to bathe in the sun, get our feet buried in the sand and dip our toes in the Mediterranean Sea. To me, these moments are a doorway to a deeper presence, to a relaxed...
