Please expect Jewishness to be relevant, energizing, impacting, compelling, and, at least occasionally, quite intense.

These texts, these practices, these holidays, these stories, this liturgy - they are supposed to be alive. They are supposed to matter. That’s important to you - for yourself and for your kids.

Does that feel far away? Difficult to attain? It might take some work to get there. But the most important thing is that you want it.

say it out loud:

I want…

…to feed my soul

I want to learn. I want to engage with a text that can remind me of who I am and who I could become; of what my responsibilities are; of what is possible and how to get there; of what is important and what is a distraction.

…my Jewish experiences to be deeper

I pray every day and celebrate Shabbat every week but I don’t feel it. I know that high holidays, Passover seders, and daily rituals can be quite impacting, but it’s not happening - yet.

…my kids to be engaged and excited

I know that before, during, and especially after Bar Mitzvah, there is a quickly-closing window during which my kids can form a real bond with their Jewish souls, with Jewish wisdom, with Jewish values and with Jewish mentors. How can I make sure that happens?

…to listen and learn

I’m ready. Give me something to think about.

A new kind of rabbi - old-school and tuned-in

A 21st-century rabbi must be both ancient and modern, old-school and tuned-in. So, yes, I am a rabbi in the traditional sense of the word. I’m ordained. I spent six years learning in yeshiva. I love to do the things rabbis do - I’m happy to officiate weddings and B’nei Mitzvah (and I’m always honored to help with funerals). But I am also living in the 21st century, so I understand the pushes and pulls that define the current moment. My life - and my work - call on me to weave the ancient with the modern in order to co-create Jewish moments and practices that are authentic and meaningful, personal and solid.

Don’t Stop Wanting.

Are you interested in learning with a group of other like-minded individuals to find relevance and inspiration in our profound tradition? That can happen. Do you have a Bar or Bat Mitzvah coming up and your child is totally uninterested? That’s normal. Do you have a question about my background, insights, the denomination I invented (called Alternadox), or is there something you need to share? I’m listening.