You can say thank you or even try it in another language to let the person know—I mean it, todah rabah. Words, however powerful, can often be like a present without wrapping paper or a bow and a card that would have the recipient know—I took the time.  So I want to try and wrap these words and say Todah Rabah to our staff and Board for working behind the scenes and having us run as smoothly as we do.

We have 15 classes a week now; well over 100 students a week come to classes and that is a lot to keep track of let alone be thinking how do we grow and evolve, how do we build a better community, and how responsive are we to your feedback.  Please keep in mind that all of our staff is part-time (or at least paid part-time) and our Board is volunteer and yet, as I hope is evident, we have your interests and each others in mind.

We also work by consensus (most of the time) and so even something as ‘simple’ as serving coffee and tea had a sub-committee! But the coffee and tea are in the kitchen, so enjoy.

Please, do let us know when we are doing things well (and of course how we can improve) and suggest to us how you would like to be a part of our community and what you want us to provide.

With the start of the new semester we are offering coffee, tea and water for your convenience and enjoyment.  We discussed how we could do this in an environmentally friendly way, so know that thought is going into this.  The cups are Venti size—we call them Da’at size. You are welcome to bring your own cup.  It is one small step toward building community and we look forward to printing some “Kabbalah Wisdom” on each cup.

This past week we celebrated Purim. I read the Megilah (Book of Esther) in the synagogue to the cacophony of children and adults with their noisemakers drowning out the name of Haman as it is read aloud. I couldn’t help but reflect on the ‘noisemakers’ toppling other despotic leaders.  The external aspect of the holiday of Purim is all the hoopla—the noise, the inner dimension is what is underneath the masks that we wear.  Putting a mask on reveals that there are masks—already on.  Esther, the queen, may know she is hiding—but does she really know she is hiding until she has the choice to reveal herself or not?

So, we have to ask ourselves, who is ruling who?  Are we wearing the mask or is it wearing us?

Why do we name hurricanes?  Does it make it more personal? I am not aware that we name tornadoes or earthquakes or tsunamis.  Would giving them a name make it more personal?  The devastation in Japan and for the Japanese people is still being uncovered in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami.  How do we deal emotionally and spiritually with devastating forces that are so impersonal?

With a goal of prevention, there are those who will look to explanations as a way to help understand underlying causes rather than cope with symptoms.  Arguments will be made how to build stronger, more resilient.  There is no way we can ever avoid natural disasters. They are a part of the system we call life, just as death itself is part of life.

Courage to face life, to continue in the face of devastation is the triumph of the human spirit.  And to feel the pain of those who suffer and yet will themselves to not only survive, go on and rebuild…homes and lives.  We have lost many brothers and sisters this week.  Feel their pain and experience their courage. Reach out to them through good thoughts, condolence and aid.  Get personal.

It’s time to change. So move your clocks forward one hour this coming Saturday night. As you move the clock forward, your fire department encourages you to change batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Your Kabbalah department encourages you to examine your relationship with time. Is it possible to lose an hour? Move one hour closer to death?

Losing (or gaining) time is a matter of convention.  Changing your relationship with time is a soul matter.  So when we spring forward it is just a matter of time that our spring semester begins.  We will be learning about time and also there will be some exciting opportunities for new learning this spring.

It is time. Stephen Kapnik and Dr. Anne Goldberg will be teaching the Soul classes this spring. Both Anne and Stephen have completed the two year KE Teacher’s Institute and bring their unique teaching talents to our beginning students.  We also welcome Dr. Lorell Frysh who will be co-teaching with me a special class on Kabbalah and Buddhism. And if you haven’t already, attend In Tune with Time, a monthly women’s class with Teena Slatkin.

One guarantee from me is: Change. We will be moving forward while the present moment is in-sight.

Let our voices be heard.  Maybe a new phrase we can adopt is Think Global. Be Vocal.  How appropriate then that the winner of Best Film of 2011 is The King’s Speech. As the King states in utter frustration: “I have a right to be heard. I have a voice!”

I want to start a discussion then on how we listen and also how we are heard.  In one of our classes this week we discussed being heard and listening and agreed that not interrupting another by cutting them off or by bringing the conversation away from the speaker to you, is sound advice.

Can we share with each other some insights about listening and being heard? Please add your voice.