I learned today that my favorite high school teacher, Bernis von zur Muehlin, was related to Schneur Zalman of Liadi! And also to Herb Alpert, a trumpeter whose style I tried to copy in my band days. No WONDER I loved her so!
Bernis had a great talent for finding beauty in "ordinary" people and also in perhaps less-beautiful emotions. I was a shy kid with a terrible self image. She encouraged my writing and took photographs of me in which I was stunned to find myself looking fierce and powerful. I was delighted to also discover she is still exhibiting her photography.
An essay on a Hasidic rabbi who teaches an Israeli immigrant - a dog:
http://petandpractice.blogspot.com/2010/12/yes-miky-there-are-rabbis-in-montana.html
For an amusing lecture on Jewish Marriage, watch Rabbi Yosef Jacobson's The Unlikely Couple on Torahcafe.com. I also liked Dr. Treat's lecture with the same title and have enjoyed everything from Rabbi Manis Friedman. Also Rivke Slonim gave a wonderful lecture on the mitzvah of mikveh. I have two dunkings coming up and needed the inspiration.
A Sage at Night is a Yiddish term for someone foolish - or intellectual only when there is no one around to see (at night). I converted to Judaism after years of a mostly secular existence and am devouring Jewish books. I am writing this blog both to record my spiritual and social transformation and for the excitement of posting my very own devars! :) I give much credit to the weekly Torah Study group at Temple Beth Israel in Eugene for inspiring me to study hard so I may hold my own.
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