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Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Spiritual Director, Peace and Justice Educator, Teacher of Mussar, and Author
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A mysterious disease strikes
When we have come through this, let us turn our pain, fear and loneliness into a new way of being with others and as citizens of the world.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Apr 25, 20204 min read
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Remembering all the commands to remember
Let us not let the hate-mongers rob us of what we most cherish. Let us not fail to remember & celebrate that which is most precious to us.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Mar 9, 20203 min read
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What Kind of Country Does This?
Of all the people I met during my trip last month to the U.S.-Mexico border, one person’s face haunts me. Maria (not her real name) sat...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Feb 21, 20204 min read
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The Balance between Righteousness and Self-Righteousness
Ometz lev is a quality of willingness to speak truth to power and also a quality of the heart: strength tempered by love and gentleness.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Jan 17, 20203 min read
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Can Two Readings of a Text Both Be Right?
Which of two well-known readings of this text is correct?
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Dec 15, 20193 min read
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In the Sukkah, as in life, we are both vulnerable and safe
Ten months after the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989, I moved to Palo Alto. When our first Sukkot arrived, members of the Jewish community...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Oct 18, 20193 min read
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Can I Really Change?
Rabbi Levi Yitzhak teaches that with every breath we take, God breathes life into us as on the day of creation.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Sep 18, 20193 min read
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In these trying times, what are we to do? Here's an answer from Torah.
We must arise from our posture of humility in order to practice transformative love, emulate God’s ways and spend our lives in service.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Aug 25, 20193 min read
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Why This Rabbi Protested U.S. Immigration Policy on Tish'a B'av
I have been to many demonstrations at Palo Alto City Hall. But there was something special about the one on Aug. 11, for Tish'a B'Av.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Aug 15, 20193 min read
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Leading with Fear or with Faith
The Israelite spies were sent on a sacred mission and they failed spectacularly. Why? Because they let fear overpower them, overwhelming...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Jul 3, 20193 min read
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Scapegoats on the Streets of San Francisco
This year I can visualize the scapegoat being cast out by the community, because I have seen it on the streets of San Francisco.
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
May 7, 20193 min read
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An Answer to What Ails Our Society
Still aching from the horror of the massacre at the mosques in New Zealand, I found myself at a remarkable gathering last week. It was...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Mar 29, 20193 min read
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This Year I Skipped Purim
A friend of mine says sardonically, “You’ve got to love the Megillah (the Book of Esther, on which the festival of Purim is based). It...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Mar 20, 20193 min read
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A Navigation System for Life's Journey
When life is stormy and confusing, wouldn’t it be amazing to have a spiritual navigation system to tell us what we need to do?
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Mar 7, 20193 min read
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Overturning an unjust regime?
This week’s Torah portion has a lot to say. J. Weekly | JANUARY 10, 2019 In normal times, I approach Parashat Bo in the usual way. I dive...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Jan 20, 20193 min read
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Why Not Gratitude?
(published in Yashar, the Newsletter of The Mussar Institute, January 2019) When my daughter was a little girl, she had an uncanny...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Jan 3, 20193 min read
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Reeling from my journey into America's ugly past
I just returned from a sacred pilgrimage. The place was the new National Memorial of Peace and Justice and The Legacy Museum in...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Oct 19, 20183 min read
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You are Not Alone
It was late on Friday afternoon, and I was on my way to a Catholic church, where I would soon lead Shabbat candle-lighting for a large...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Jun 26, 20184 min read
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Separating Children From Their Families Flies in the Face of Biblical Values
Think of a young child whom you love. Remember a time when your beloved child was tired, hungry or uncomfortable. What did she do?...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Jun 6, 20181 min read
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Sacred Conversation in the Midst of Conflict
Two Somali-American imams, a woman in hijab, an African-American pastor, and two American women rabbis come to Jerusalem. Sound like the...
Rabbi Amy Eilberg
Feb 19, 20161 min read
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