Parashat Bo: The blessing of freedom

Parashat Bo: The blessing of freedom

In 1984 London Life Insurance Company launched a self-serving advertising campaign to encourage Canadians to invest in their retirement plans. The idea was simple: invest with us and you too can enjoy the fictional retirement freedom at the age of 55 just like those...
Parashat Vayechi: Jacob’s legacy

Parashat Vayechi: Jacob’s legacy

The world has been turned on its ear. Each and every single day brings about new challenges, new frustrations and fresh disappointments. Businesses are suffering, supply chains are broken and we are beginning once again to encounter bare shelves. We are emotionally...
Parashat Miketz: Retaining our holiness

Parashat Miketz: Retaining our holiness

One of my favorite images during Chanukah is that of the face of a child illuminated by the candlelight of the menorah. There is something so beautiful and innocent about that image. The open awe at the flickering flame, the excitement, the pure, unguarded joy of the...
Parashat Vayeshev: What’s really behind our actions

Parashat Vayeshev: What’s really behind our actions

A few years back, there was a café in France that posted the prices for their coffee as follows: “Coffee, 7 euros, “Coffee please, 4.25 euros, “Good morning, a coffee please, 1.40 euro”. Back in 2013 this sign became an internet mini-sensation much to people’s...
Parashat Vayishlach: Consideration is paramount

Parashat Vayishlach: Consideration is paramount

Life is not fair. Part of becoming an adult is accepting this statement and moving on. We do not always get what we want, when we want it or how we want it. We get passed over for promotions, our feelings are not always returned, or our ideas are turned down at that...
Parashat Vayetzei: The lessons of childhood

Parashat Vayetzei: The lessons of childhood

This past week a parent of one of our alumni sent me a picture of a beautiful baby boy, born to a graduate of Hebrew Academy who I taught years ago. In our brief exchange, the new grandmother shared that her daughter is now living in Israel and is neighbours with...
Parashat Toldot: Staying the course

Parashat Toldot: Staying the course

A quick Google search of the expression “Covid fatigue” yields over 392 million results. Incredible, considering that less than a year ago, none of us really knew what Covid even was. Fatigue, boredom or “ennui” are states of being that we are all too familiar with; a...
Parashat Chayei Sara: Making the most of our time

Parashat Chayei Sara: Making the most of our time

Life is a deadly proposition. It matters not who we are, what wealth we have accumulated or the title we claim; our time in this world is limited. Instinctively, when resources are limited, we try to make the most of them, to make them last. In times of financial...
Parashat Vayera: Our influence as parents

Parashat Vayera: Our influence as parents

Growing up with Romanian parents and grandparents has provided me with the privilege of learning many interesting and wonderful sayings that can make you laugh, make you cringe and more often than not, really make you think. One such saying that I have often heard is...