My Jewish Journey
Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky, Director of Jewish Life and Learning, shares insights on lessons from the Torah, Jewish customs and traditions and inspirational thoughts for personal growth.
Parashat Miketz – Joseph restrained himself
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky. An Akiva parent, Debbie has an MA and PhD in the history of Jewish Bible Interpretation from McGill University as well as a Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS) also from McGill. Let’s start with an exegetical question...
Parashat VaYeshev – “And his brothers heard.”
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky. An Akiva parent, Debbie has an MA and PhD in the history of Jewish Bible Interpretation from McGill University as well as a Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS) also from McGill. "Don’t pick up your sister!" "Put her...
Parashat VaYishlach – “And Israel heard”
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky. An Akiva parent, Debbie has an MA and PhD in the history of Jewish Bible Interpretation from McGill University as well as a Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS) also from McGill. “Whatever you do, DO NOT fold that huge...
Parashat Vayetze – “I will return in peace.”
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky. An email from my daughter’s high school reassures parents they have hired extra security this week, and that students will be kept indoors for recess and lunch. Federation advises Jewish schools and institutions to be extra vigilant,...
Parashat Toldoth – It’s all relative.
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky. Genetics are a wondrous thing. The personalities and characteristics our children inherit from us and from their other parent make us swell with pride and drive us crazy. Usually on the same day. And also every day. When my daughter...
Parashat Hayyei Sarah – “In the end, only kindness matters.”
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky Do you give your children an allowance? Do they do chores in order to earn that allowance? Do you withhold allowance if they don’t do all the chores every day? Money or stickers or stars or checkmarks are all tangible symbols that...
Parashat Vayeira – The Value of the Individual: “Shall the judge of all the earth not do justice?”
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky My husband grew up going camping with his family every summer. I did not. We went to Acadia National Park one summer - our second summer married, when I was still a good sport - and spent a few days in a tent. Two things stick out...
Parashat Lekh Lekha – When giving doesn’t feel good.
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky Oprah said, “The best feeling you can ever have is to give to others.” The play date found a package of “Frozen” Jelly Belly jelly beans, a special treat from a good friend out of town, and asked my daughter if she could have one. ...
Parashat Noah – Can you qualify perfect?
Monday morning we celebrated my eldest daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. As some of you may know, my daughter was born 10 weeks early - after a difficult and tenuous pregnancy - and weighed only 1080 grams, or 2 pounds, 6 ounces. She spent 51 days in the NICU and still only...
Parashat Bereishit; From Chaos to Rest.
By: Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky The month of holidays is behind us. There is much about them that I enjoy. I love to cook and entertain. I love to go to synagogue with my children, to decorate the sukkah, to spend time with friends, to read books and nap and play...