Hakhel Blog
Spotlights on our communities around the world
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Perspectives
June 3rd, 2020
Wednesday, June 3, 2020 | 11th Sivan 5780 Dear All, I don’t feel like I have a lot of wisdom right now. This is hard. The lessons of Jewish history favor moderation, and striving to keep one’s balance. It is relatively easy for[...]
Vayakhel-Pekudei: Preparing for Pesach during COVID-19
March 20th, 2020
by Leah Palmer, Hakhel Administrative Director I generally start cleaning for Pesach around January time, much to the displeasure of those living with me. The cleaning takes the form of taking everything out of the cupboard, cleaning up any dust and[...]
Meet the Hakhel Advisors: Noa
November 7th, 2019
Hakhel is an incubator for Jewish Intentional communities, and as such it provides members with a support package for three years. This support includes funding, training, networking, Israel trips, and the crown jewel: a personal professional advisor! Hakhel advisors provide communities[...]
The Ashamnu Prayer in the Year of Environmental Teshuva
October 8th, 2019
Yom Kippur 5780 An Invitation by Leah Palmer, Hakhel Administrative Director The “ashamnu” prayer from the Ashkenazic Yom Kippur service is once of the most iconic moments of the High Holiday prayers. The congregation stands in silence, beating their chests in regret[...]
Hakhel Blog: Leah Palmer
September 11th, 2019
Several years ago, I was in shul on the morning of Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) and the Rabbi stood up to speak. They opened with: "What is the difference between the Jewish New Year on Rosh Hashanah, and[...]
Hakhel Spotlight: Zooz, Melbourne
July 18th, 2019
Zooz is a community in Melbourne, Australia which is run by for and young Jewish adults, aiming to provide these individuals with a framework for meaningful engagement with Judaism, Israel, and the wider community. Zooz members meet weekly on Wednesday nights[...]
Hakhel Blog: Aharon Ariel Lavi
June 7th, 2019
by Aharon Ariel Lavi This week we start reading Sefer Bamidbar, also known as "The Book of Numbers." A strange name for a book, is it not? It derives from the fact that the first portion of the book, as well[...]
Hakhel Blog: Craig Oshkello
May 13th, 2019
by Craig Oshkello The local farm supply store, a seventh generation family business, left a message for me on Shabbat. Probably not aware that it was the fourteenth day of the counting of the Omer, they let me know the barley[...]
Hakhel Spotlight: FED
May 13th, 2019
FED is a community where people from diverse backgrounds, professions, and walks of life come together for open and honest dialogue; delicious, vegetable-forward food; and the creative energy and ideas of others in attendance. Each event provides motivational, entertaining[...]
Hakhel Spotlight: Israeli Community Barcelona
April 10th, 2019
The Israeli Community Barcelona was established in October 2016 by a group of local Israelis who sought to join together in order to create a framework for social activities. The activities take place in Hebrew and revolve around Jewish holidays[...]
