Ashamnu, Bagadnu, gazalnu, dabarnu dophi …..

We beat our chests as we repeat this list of sins in our liturgy over and over again during Yom Kippur. It is an alef-bet listing of sins, said in the plural form, of things we might have done wrong. The rabbis felt that by reading the list collectively that no one would be embarrassed. By limited it to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alef-bet, the list would not go on and on. Still, there are years I want to rail against this. I am not that bad. Continue reading →

The back to school ads made me smile. I particularly like the ad that uses the sound clip from Free to Be You and Me, which I remember fondly from my youth. The song suggests that every person is valued for being who they are and that they can succeed as individuals. Even better is the one that uses the countdown to New Year’s and then kids excitedly run into the school building ready for the new academic year. These are much better than the ad a few years ago that used the Christmas song, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” with parents gleefully shopping for school supplies and the kids dragging behind the cart. Continue reading →