So, it is with great reluctance that I announce that I am suspending publication of this newsletter. I dread doing it, as I truly appreciate all of you, but it is an unfortunate reality.

My dream is to be a full-…

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Travel to Jewish sites is a great way to learn our heritage and to deepen our faith.  But what if you can't get away?  What if your finances, work schedule, or family's needs keep you from going too far?  Then why not staycation?

Readers Digest defines a staycation as "a way to set your body and mind into relaxation mode." What makes time away a staycati…

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This past week, Jews around the world celebrated Tu b'Shevat, the New Year of Trees. Some planted trees at home, or in Israel.  Others gathered for a Tu b'Shevat Seder, a mystical ceremony whose origins go back to the Kabbalists of 16th Century Zfat.

For many, Tu b'Shevat is the time of year to demonstrate Judaism's concern for t…

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This past Monday, we celebrated the life and legacy of the Reverend Martin Luthor King, Jr. For Jews, he is a special figure, praised for leading African Americans to greater equality, similar to how Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. That is why Jews played such a prominent role in the Civil Rights …

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In my last article (Jewish Contributions to Sufi Mysticism), we talked about how Sufi mystics were influenced by the ideas and theories of their Jewish contemporaries.  For almost 1000 years, there was a borrowing and sharing of ideas from both sides that grew the spiritual wisdom of both faiths.  T…

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Today, we live in a world where Jews and Muslims are divided over the State of Israel. Many of us would find it hard to believe there was ever a time that followers of the two faiths ever got along and worked together.  But that is exactly the case.  An example would be the relationship between Jewish and Sufi mystics, who…

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Some people make the world better by their very existence. Eiffel Gilyana was one of those people. Tragically, he lost his life one week ago, on December 23rd, while canoeing off the coast of Vilano Beach, Florida.

I first met Eiffel in 2014 when I presented my new novel, True Identity, at the Jewish Community Alliance (JCA) in Jacksonville, Florida.…

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Abraham is considered the father of three of the world’s religions…Judaism, Christianity and Islam.  He is usually thought of as a simple, nomadic shepherd.  But is this picture accurate?  New research suggests that it may not be.  It is a question I explore in my novel, True Identity, in which my main character, an undercover Mo…

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As a Jew raised in North Pole, Alaska, Christmas was an integral part of my community (having the last name of Griswold probably didn’t help either, lol). I grew up with the Santa Claus House being about 5 miles from my house, candy cane light poles, and the annual drive to answer the thousands of “Letters to Santa” that were mailed to our town each ye…

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For many in America, Hanukkah has become the “Jewish Christmas.” This is true among both more liberal Chr…

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Today, much of the world’s attention is focused on Israel’s fight ag…

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Dvora walked into their local chapter of the American Cancer Society, determined to learn what she could about her mother’s illness and how she could better help her.

Looking around, she found the office to be busy with staffers, who were helping sufferers, survivors and their relatives.

“Can I help you?” asked one of the counselors.

“I’m looking for some information,” Dvora said.

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“You have cancer?”

“My mom might… They’re waiting for the results of her biopsy.”

“Can I ask what type?”

Dvora responded emotionally.

“They think she has breast cancer.”

The counselor put her arm around Dvora in a gesture of support.

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Academics and politicians, from the political left, claim that Fascism is a Right-wing philosophy and its founder, Benito Mussolini, a political conservative.  But t…

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It has been five weeks since Hamas’ brutal slaying and torture of innocent civilians on October 7, 2023. Yet, no major Muslim cleric, or head of state, has explicitly condemned Hamas or Iran for the attack. To be exact, Iranian President E…

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These are perilous times for Jews in Israel and around the world. Both antisemitism and fascism are on the rise. We see it in cities across America, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. We find it present in Socialist ideology, academia and the hateful philosophies of racists and religious extremists.

At the same time, many Jews are feeling disconn…

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“Are you feeling okay, Mom?” Dvora asked. “It’s not like you to sleep this late.”

“I’m fine. Just a little tired, I guess,” Keturah said. “Give me a moment, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen for breakfast.”

“Of course, I’ll meet you there,” Dvora said, as she hesitantly left the room. She gave her mom a glance of concern, while leaving, certain that something was not right.

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Minutes later, Keturah entered the kitchen. Without a word, she sat down at her table, holding her head in her hands. News of her likely diagnosis had left her unexpectedly saddened, as she had always been a spirited, optimistic person able to deal with any challenge that life had to offer. But the prospect of cancer seemed almost too much to bear. What about her future plans? And, more importantly, what about Rachel? And what was up with her crazy dream?

“So, what are you in the mood for,” Dvora asked. “Pancakes, or waffles? I could add blueberries, if you like.”

Expecting an answer, she turned to face her mother. That is when she saw her and knew her suspicions were right.

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Most of us were horrified by Hamas’ massacre of innocent men, women and children in southern Israel on October 7, 2023. We were sickened as we watched Hamas militants laugh, as they raped and butchered their victims. We felt anguish at learning of the more than 200 captives that were ki…

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Humanity was shaken, one week ago, as Hamas militants from Gaza committed a murderous rampage through communities in southern Israel; specifically targeting families in their homes. Parents were killed in front of their children or forced to watch their children mercilessly murdered before …

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Sukkot, which ended this past Friday, is quite likely my favorite Jewish holiday.  As a "Jewish Thanksgiving," it is a fun time for the entire family.  Building and decorating the sukkah is enjoyable for both children and parents alike.  But is there a more spiritual aspect of this holiday…

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Keturah can feel herself moving, without effort, as if she is floating. But to where? Where is she, currently, and to where is she going? She strains to make out her surroundings, but finds that, no matter how hard she tries, she cannot find definition in her environment. Everything is just a blur of movement, interrupted by short glimpses of random objects that momentarily flash in front of her eyes, before disappearing again… bird, butterfly, field of flowers, brook, otter, tree…. The images seem unconnected, and she struggles to find meaning in them.

Then she hears an eerie voice hauntingly calling out to her like the sirens of old that beckoned sailors to steer their ships toward the rocks where they met their fate and perished.

“Adam, Adam, Adam….”

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