Daily Kavanot
Writings of reflection by the Stephen Wise Temple clergy.
Each weekday morning, members of our mailing list receive the “Daily Kavanah,” which includes messages of thought, inspiration, and contemplation from our clergy, along with a schedule of events. Every Thursday, the “Daily Kavanah” turns into “Eyes on Wise,” our weekly newsletter featuring the latest news, photos, videos, stories, and tikkun olam opportunities from our community. Sign up and don’t miss out!
Daily Kavanah – Monday, January 27, 2025
For the first two weeks of January, I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Thailand and Japan for my long-awaited honeymoon after getting married in August. My trip was supposed to be filled with beautiful beaches, wonderful nature, animals, and nothing but happiness and love. It was filled with all of those things, don’t get me wrong, but it was also filled with anxiety and fear for my family and friends dealing with the unexpected fires which have plagued Los Angeles this past month. While I was having an incredible time with my wife, I was also filled with dread for my beloved city and the people I care about most. This is all happening, of course, against the backdrop of the terrible reality of what is happening in Israel as well as the hope for the return of all the hostages which weighs heavily on my heart. [...]
Daily Kavanah – Friday, January 24, 2025
There is a concept in psychology known as vicarious trauma. It was first identified in mental health care professionals who were repeatedly exposed to their patients’ traumatic experiences. By witnessing or hearing about the fear, pain, distress, and terror of others, our own well-being can be deeply affected. I suspect many of us can relate to the concept of vicarious trauma. Since October 7, we have, as a community, felt the weight of the horrors of those heinous attacks and their aftermath—including the plight of the hostages and the bloody, devastating war that has followed. Although most of us have not personally endured this violence, repeatedly witnessing the suffering of others over these many months has left us with painful residual consequences. Social media can be especially harmful as all-too-vivid images and videos appear on our feeds again and again. Vicarious trauma can manifest as excessive worry, loss of sleep, [...]
Daily Kavanah – Thursday, January 23, 2025
With Shabbat approaching, I know my heart is turned again towards the East; the same anticipation and anxiety is building as last week. I am waiting with bated breath, wondering who will come home this week, whether they are alive, healthy. I imagine the families waiting even more urgently. How, I wonder, are we meant to wait through this? There is a Talmudic teaching about Shabbat and its preparation that might give us a way forward through these days. In talking about how to get ready for Shabbat, the ancient rabbi, Shammai, gives us one option. Knowing that the Shabbat meal is meant to be one of ultimate joy, he would begin thinking about it not on Thursday—but all week long… how Jewish! Shopping at the market then, he would find the choicest meats and the freshest fruits, and put them aside for Shabbat. But, if he found another one [...]
Daily Kavanah – Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Turning for a moment from Israel back to Los Angeles, I noticed that the traffic is picking back up again. Granted, the routes I travel are far removed from the areas hardest hit by the fires—but I know no surer sign of life in Los Angeles than its traffic. I can tell, simply by the patterns on good old Scadlock Lane, that more people are back and work, and schools are reopening. Life seems, in some ways and in some areas, to be returning to “normal.” But, of course, it is not.Tens of thousands of people, including members of our own Wise community and their families—have lost their homes. Even more are still evacuated, awaiting news on damage and remediation. And, of course, the bills are piling up. It is, traffic aside, a time of great upheaval and uncertainty.So, maybe it is fitting that we find ourselves in the beginning [...]
Daily Kavanah – Tuesday, January 21, 2025
’An entire country is waiting for them.’ Among all of the emotional statements from the reporters covering the hostage return, this is the one to which I keep returning. Like many of you, I am sure, I was awake early Sunday morning, glued to Israeli television and refreshing any app that I thought could give me news of the first hostage release since November 2023. The split screen on Israel’s Channel 11 was a stark contrast; thousands gathered in Gaza with guns and Hamas flags, and thousands gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, silently waiting. I cannot imagine there was a single Israeli who was not waiting, waiting, waiting. This Shabbat, we began the Book of Exodus, our national story of freedom and of new beginnings. And while it is several weeks away, I kept thinking of the moment that the Israelites arrive at Mt. Sinai. Before the thunder, [...]