Zach Shapiro

1 week ago | jewishjournal.com | Zach Shapiro

Dear all,When I first saw Maya’s hands, I began to worry, “Yikes, PLEASE don’t schmutz up anything!”But I then realized … Someday I will look back at this tender moment in time wistfully, yearning for the wonderment that comes with parenting a young child. Ten sticky fingers. Ten incredible reasons to harness time. This season between the Festivals of Passover and Shavuot, Jews traditionally count off each day with a measurement of barley.

2 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Zach Shapiro

Dear all,We started teaching Maya and Eli the Four Questions of Passover just as they were learning to talk. (This photo is from last year’s Seder as they stood to sing them). Four Questions…. Judaism requires us to teach our children to how ask from the youngest age. And while there is a script to the Passover questions, the true purpose is to elicit additional questions. Questions about life. Questions about history. Questions about God. Questions about freedom. And yes …. Questions about politics.

3 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Zach Shapiro

Dear all,I captured this photo last week out the window of my airplane. (For the non av geeks, not to worry – all planes were exactly where they were supposed to be!)One plane was coming. The other was going. I was reminded of a Hebrew blessing: “Barach atah b’vo-echa. U-varuch atah b’tzetecha. Blessed are you when you enter. And blessed are you when you depart.“Imagine, just imagine if we carry the honor and responsibility of being a blessing wherever we go.

4 weeks ago | jewishjournal.com | Zach Shapiro

Dear all,I’ve just finished an incredible few days in Chicago, where the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) held our annual convention. I was honored to serve on the committee this year. At times I was so focused on my specific responsibilities that I didn’t realize just how impactful the entire convention would be. But eventually, my eyes opened to the big picture. And that’s when I saw the smiles. And that’s when I heard the wisdom. And that’s when I felt the resonating energy.

1 month ago | jewishjournal.com | Zach Shapiro

Dear all,A few days ago, a huge tree fell completely over in our neighborhood. (Luckily no person or structure was damaged). Unfortunately, neglect of ongoing maintenance – accompanied by strong winds – were too much for the sturdy roots. I saw this and thought deeply about Judaism. We are proud of our history. We speak with reverence about the journeys of the generations gone by. We honor the trailblazers who enabled us to live freely.