I was recently with my friend’s 7-year old daughter and was telling her, “Next time, I’ll take you and your brothers out!” “Actually,” she goes. “Maybe next time my mommy can come and she and the boys can go to Gymboree [a kids’ play area] or something, and we two can just you know, walk … More Growth at the Fringes
Last year I walked into Chabad Manila for Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) not really knowing what to expect. This year, I was a little more prepared to face the holiday. (I say this in the practical sense. For example, I knew to eat before showing up because the services can take … a while.) … More Shofar Prayers and My Second Rosh Hashana
Last Friday, May 6th, was my friend and rebbetzin’s birthday (Hebrew date 28 Nissan). I went over to see her and give her her gift, and was playing with the kids when she came and sat down to talk with me. She started by telling me that “Your mazel shines extra strong on your birthday.” … More Birthdays, Blessings, and the Beauty of Judaism
Last Friday night I had my first Passover seder ever. I have no picture for evidence since it was on Shabbos (and a yom tov!), but I’d like to thank my friend rebbetzin Tiferes Levy and Chabad Manila a million times over for letting me come! It was an incredible experience, and my understanding of … More Counting Each Day – and Making them Count
Almost three years ago, in the Hebrew year 5774 (or 2013), I had more or less just started learning about Judaism and was still touching on the basics of each topic. Rosh Hashana had just ended and I was speaking with a friend about it, when she suddenly said, “I’m sad because Yom Kippur is … More Shabbos
This entry is written in memory of a very special person and friend of mine, Vicky Hunt, who passed away on January 15, 2016. May she rest in peace, and may her memory be a blessing to all who knew her. The past two weeks have been a little intense, emotionally. Two of my very … More Tu B’Shvat and the Seasons of Life
I’ve always loved Chanukah. I love the story, I love the candles, I love the lights, I love the donuts, I love it all – in theory. This year was the first year I decided it was actually time to celebrate the holiday properly, so I showed up at Chabad and lit some candles with my … More It’s STILL Chanukah??
A few nights ago I was at a pre-Chanukah ladies’ night at Chabad Manila. There, unexpectedly, I met a woman who was a certified Hebrew teacher. When she found out I already knew some Hebrew and could keep up a basic conversation, she gave me her calling card. By the following day, I had mostly put … More Perfect Timing
Pretty much everybody knows the importance of giving charity. Aside from it being a commandment from G-d, it also makes us feel good to help out other people. But a few days ago I learned an interesting new perspective: Everybody alive is actually around only because we receive charity – from G-d! Some people receive their care … More Charity, Justice, and Being Righteous
“See you tomorrow, G-d willing.” I was most certainly not expecting this kind of text from my Jewish friend and was extremely mortified, to put it lightly. See you tomorrow, G-D WILLING?? What kind of greeting was that?? Of course we’d see each other tomorrow, neither of us was sick (thank G-d) or living in … More “G-d willing!”
Seeker Thoughts 