To Bend Light

REMINDER! Join us on Sept 11th as acclaimed Jewish poet, @AldenSolovy leads a one-hour adult education session on Unetaneh Tokef/The Power of Day, followed by readings from his latest book! Open to the community! RSVP to office@vassartemple.org or call 845-454-2570.

Celebrate the release of “Enter These Gates” on Thurs, Sept 5, at 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT. I’ll be in conversation with my friend Rabbi Brigitte S. Rosenberg, Senior Rabbi at United Hebrew Congregation in St. Louis, MO. Register: ccar.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

CCAR Press has been hard at work to get @AldenSolovy's ENTER THESE GATES: MEDITATIONS FOR THE DAYS OF AWE out in time for the chagim. I'm excited to share that the book trailer is here and books will ship in September. Now available for preorder! vimeo.com/980784608?shar…

CCAR Press is offering a 20 percent discount on "This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings" through the end of the month. Order at joyous.ccarpress.org, use 20JOYOUS at checkout. @ReformRabbis

As a reminder that CCAR Press is offering a 20 percent discount on "This Joyous Soul: A New Voice for Ancient Yearnings" through the end of the month, here's a sampler of what you'll find. Order at joyous.ccarpress.org, using the code 20JOYOUS at checkout. @ReformRabbis

From the ‘things I’ve never packed to go to the States before’ department… #youbetheirlight cards, #BringThemHomeNow necklaces, and a printout of more than 40 new prayer poems resulting from terror and war… #bringhershhome #bring_hersh_home #ReleaseTheHostagesNow

“This Joyous Soul" is the CCAR Press 'Book of the Month,' they’re offering a 20% discount through January at joyous.ccarpress.org. Use the code 20JOYOUS at checkout. Read a new, just-published-today author Q&A here: ravblog.ccarnet.org/2024/01/new-pa…

If all goes according to plan, tomorrow I will help harvest red grapefruit. Here I am in an avocado grove... For more prayer poetry, go to tobendlight.com

The New Year may be arriving soon, but for many of us -- especially the families of the hostages in Gaza -- it is still Oct 7. A link to three poems about the posters of hostages that are ubiquitous here in Israel: tobendlight.com/2023/12/poster…

3 poems by my friend @AldenSolovy that have touched my heart. tobendlight.com/2023/12/poster…

This week's podcast is a very raw conversation with Alden Solovy (@tobendlight) in Israel about life in Jerusalem, about sadness and anger, and about the ways that words can bring meaning and connection. podbean.com/eas/pb-7s9kn-1…

As the High Holy Days approach, liturgist @AldenSolovy shares powerful words about forgiveness from his new book “These Words: Poetic Midrash on the Language of Torah.” • Order the book at thesewords.ccarpress.org

As the Havdalah ritual connects us with wine, spices, and light, may our senses awaken to the beauty, sweetness, and possibility of the week to come. Shavua tov.

As we read from Shof’tim, we encounter the imperative: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof.” The repetition of the word “tzedek” reminds us of the importance of pursuing justice in Jewish tradition. May "tzedek” echo in our week, moving us towards righteous action. Shabbat Shalom.

How do we praise God during a period of political distress and uncertainty? "Hallel in a Minor Key" combines the traditional Hallel service with new liturgy by @AldenSolovy and music by Sue Radner Horowitz. ravblog.ccarnet.org/2023/08/praise…

Rochester friends. Go hear Michael Miller in concert Wednesday evening. He’s playing three songs that we wrote together! @MishMill

As Shabbat is “returning to her distant place,” may we listen and find hints of its holiness throughout the week. Shavua tov.

Tu B’Av was an ancient day of matchmaking & joy when young people would go into vineyards searching for their true love. Today, Jews have made it into a day to celebrate love in all its forms. May you find ways to express, share, & deepen your love in any & all of its many forms.