“I’ve never forgotten the sad look in her eye when a mother stood up during one of my parenting seminars and wistfully remarked that from the moment her daughter was born every single day brought another experience of learning how to let go. Indeed, “letting go” for many parents is a life-long challenge and a …
In a “Frank and Ernest” cartoon, you see Frank rousing slowly from his sleep, then looking out at the sun coming up. He says dryly, “Well, the sun is rising in the east . . . so far, so good.” There is a beautiful story back in the book of Genesis. Abraham is complaining to …
Did you hear the one about the young man who was caught carrying a bomb on an airplane? When arrested, he claimed that he always carried a bomb with him on airplanes. After all, he said, what are the odds against there ever being two bombs on the same plane?
I read this story in Reader’s Digest once about a guy who was camping in a national forest and in the morning as he stood in the communal bathroom washing up, the man next to him asked him what he did for a living. “I’m a Juvenile Rehabilitation Counselor,” he replied. At which point the …
A friend of mine tells the story about how one cold, wet, winter day he was late leaving home for work. There was a knock on his front door and there standing in the cold and rain stood two Jehovah’s Witnesses. Of course usually when that happened he just told them “No thanks I’m Jewish” …
I once heard someone describe the difference between a dog and a cat like this: You love your dog so you take care of it and feed it and give it treats. So your dog is grateful and it looks up at you and thinks to itself, “You must be God.” You love your cat …
There was once a powerful Japanese emperor who needed a new chief samurai. So he sent out a challenge throughout the land that he was searching for the best samurai in all the known world. When a full year had passed only three people had accepted the emperor’s challenge and came before him to win …
One of the local ministers in the Palisades is a dear friend of mine. Once when we were sharing computer frustrations he told me this story about Jesus and Satan and how one day they are having a “friendly discussion” as to which one of them would make a better computer programmer. This goes on …
I was told the story of a woman my age who decided to introduce her mother to the magic of the internet. Her first move was to show her mom the popular “Ask.com” site. To impress her she told her that it could answer any question she had.
When Chaim Weizman, the modern founder of Zionism was once asked, “Why don’t you just accept the offer to establish a Jewish state in Uganda ?” He said, “That’s like me asking why you drove 50 miles to see your mother when there are so many other nice old ladies so much closer.” We drive …
“Once upon a time…” Just hearing the words our minds begin to soar – to far off places, distant galaxies, or childhood dreams. “Once upon a time…” – we hear the words and a shiver of anticipation runs down our spines, knowing that with a good story anything is possible. “Once upon a time…, Once …
EGO – Everyone’s Greatest Obstacle by Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D. Kol Nidre 5767/2006 The great comedian Milton Berle used to have a host of one-liners about ego’s and egotists. He’d say, “Put two egotists together and you’ve got a case of an I for an I.” 0r my favorite, “He’s always me-deep in conversation!” …
Revelation is a tricky thing. For Moses it took place at age 80 while standing in front of a burning bush. For Abraham it was in Haran at age 75 when he heard the voice of God telling him to take a different path from his ancestors and become a blessing to all the families …
Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben explains how he answers the question from new parents: can we raise our children with both religions?
Yom Kippur Day 5767/2006 Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Ph.D. Kehillat IsraelReconstructionist Congregation A young woman named Sally was driving home from a business trip in Northern Arizona. She saw an elderly Navajo woman walking by the side of the road so she stopped the car and asked if she’d like a ride. With a silent …