Ten is not just a run of the mill number.
Ten is ten
Like in plagues and commandments
Fingers and toes
Martyrs and things you might like to know about me.
1.
I am New England shy
Reserved
I push myself to get out there.
My comfort zone
The back right corner of the elevator.
2.
I care deeply
About you and who you are
I’m just not convinced
I have everything you think I do.
3.
And so I write with humility
And with reverence
For the word and for the reader.
I respect and value your attention and time.
4.
As I get older
More mature or wiser
If Pew would come and survey me
I would probably identify as
“Spiritual but not religious”.
5.
But it’s more complicated than that
Isn’t it?
It is always more complicated than that.
Sometimes I am a little disingenuous.
6.
I am proudly and deeply Jewish.
I live in Jewish time – most of the time –
Jewish symbols, rituals, days and foods
Move and delight me.
7.
I love Israel
The place, the people, the dream
The hope, the promise, the land.
I am disappointed in Israeli politics.
8.
I love being unplugged.
That means I love the freedom to be
The kind of person I want to be
The kind of Rabbi that is authentic to me
Yoked to no one else’s image or expectations.
9.
One wife
One Son, One Daughter, One Son-in-law
Five Grandchildren
10
I am blessed

Yep, that Howie… Danny
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1 was my only surprise. Not sure I see it… The rest is pure Rabbi. ❤️❤️❤️
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Hi Rabbi,
I run a small non-profit Jewish urban organic farm in Denver that grows food for food shelters.
Last year, with the help of 1,500 volunteers, we grew and donated just under 12,000 pounds!
ekarfarm.org
Anyway, someone forwarded me your recent post, “My Garden Does Not Let me Mourn”
I’m wondering if you’d allow me to share it in my community newsletter this week.
We’ve recently suffered VERY damaging hail which put our entire season at jeopardy, and ahead of Tisha B’av, I thought your article was very uplifting.
Please let me know about sharing. aaron@ekarfarm.org
Thank you.
Together we grow,
-Aaron Ney
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Just saw your post. Please feel free to share it. Shabbat shalom
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Inspiring…Thank you
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Best of everything to my Dear Friend Rabbi Howard Shapiro who Officiated at my Bar-Mitzvah at my age of 73 in the town of Auschwitz during our March of The Educators.It was a Bonding everlasting experience.We have learned so much during our unforgettable trip and are forever thankful to Eileen Shapiro for being so gracious in allowing me and my wife to join this wonderful group.They made us so proud by sharing their knowledge and wisdom.We cherish your friendship forever.
Norman and Shelley
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