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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 Emor – Is the mother always to blame?

We have a recurring joke in our family.  I prepare a lavish, beautiful, delicious meal for 25 people and my husband comes to the table and asks, “Isn’t the turkey sliced perfectly?”  In his own (special) way, he is commenting on the fact that I coordinated, cooked and...

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Parashat Kedoshim – You shall be holy

Parashat Kedoshim – You shall be holy

“It’s not fair.” I’m sure we all hear it (too) often. Our children’s sense of right and wrong is definitive and categorical, with little room for nuance or consideration.  In my house, there is nothing cuter than an indignant 7-year-old arguing for moral or ethical...

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Parashat Acharei Mot – The Scapegoat

Parashat Acharei Mot – The Scapegoat

“I can’t find my iPod,” said my daughter just minutes after Havdalah one Saturday night. “Where did you leave it?” I asked. “On the kitchen table,” she replied. “Well, it has not been on the kitchen table all of Shabbat, so when did you last use it?” I asked....

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Passover – When your children ask

Passover – When your children ask

“Can you buy crackers,” my daughter asks. “Sure,” I answer. “After Passover.” “But that’s in like three weeks,” she moans. “Yes,” I reply.  “You will survive.” “Do we have any cookies?” she asks. “They’re finished.” “And you’re not buying more until after Passover?”...

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Parashat Metzora – Choose the words you use

Parashat Metzora – Choose the words you use

We have this new game we’ve been playing called Snake Oil.  One person is the customer and chooses a card that provides this player with an identification or an occupation.  For example, she might be a tourist or a rock climber, a nurse, a camp counsellor, or a...

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Parashat Tazria – The blemish is not the whole picture.

Parashat Tazria – The blemish is not the whole picture.

At about two or three-weeks-old, my daughter developed a hemangioma on her head.  This benign swelling of blood vessels grew over the course of her first year into a significant and noticeable bump at the very top of her forehead.  No matter how big and sparkling were...

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Parashat Shemini – Warnings

Parashat Shemini – Warnings

They were 2 1/2 and 1 years old. The younger of the two was of more solid build, stronger, and not much smaller in size than the older. And she loved her big sister fiercely. One day, in this spirit of love and fun, she climbed onto her older sister and hugged her...

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Message for Purim

Message for Purim

Deborah Abecassis Director of Jewish Life and Learning The story of Purim has all the components of a great fairy tale or Disney movie – a silly king and an evil villain, the beautiful Queen heroine and the wise old man. The kingdom’s wealth and the months-long...

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Parashat Tzav – The “rite” clothes

Parashat Tzav – The “rite” clothes

When my daughter was 3-years-old, she chose to wear only skirts and dresses. It fit with her definition of pretty, princess, and fashionable. One Sunday afternoon, my husband asked her if she'd like to join him on an errand to the hardware store. "Yes!" She replied....

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Parashat Vayikra – Sacrifices

Parashat Vayikra – Sacrifices

Deborah Abecassis Warshawsky.  Carb-free, fat-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, meat-free.  Many of us, at some point, have resolved to drastically change the way we eat from one day to the next. Each Monday morning, people everywhere are cutting out...

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