Articles on Prayer
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The Wilderness of Becoming
I have been thinking a lot about wilderness lately. I sit writing this piece immediately following the festival of Shavuot, when we Jews celebrate God’s giving of the Torah and our entering into covenantal relationship with God in the wilderness of Sinai. In addition, Jewish communities around the world are currently reading from the book…
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Opening the Heart of Compassion
How can we skillfully navigate suffering in the present moment? What practices might we employ that remind us that we are not alone? These questions have become particularly relevant to me in the last three years. Perhaps they are meaningful for you right now. In September 2022, my beloved husband of 24 years was killed…
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Eastertide Leadership, Part II: Peace, Power, and Courage
Two weeks ago, I wrote about Eastertide Leadership, about how Jesus’ disciples, in the weeks following Easter, lived with death and resurrection at the same time and how this is the reality of our lives, too, in a time of much disruption, uncertainty, and injustice. The disciples struggled with how to lead in the midst…
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“Residency”- A Transforming Community Poem
Beckoned and gatheredDrawn ever closeWe beganSharing storiesOur yearningsOur souls Exposing deep woundsAnd time worn scarsWe shared hopesNamed our fearsAnd lifted our hearts Emboldened,EncompassedEnthralled We spokeWe listenedWe heard And we dancedAnd we stompedAnd we walked and we paused Wisdom teachings, traditionsShared and brought forthWe gathered as peersEncouraged, reinforced Summoned each by SpiritIn silence and prayerWe opened…
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A Letter from Rev. Jeffrey Ross, President of the Shalem Board of Directors
Dear Shalem Community, For the last ten years, the Shalem Institute has been blessed by the dedicated and skilled leadership of the Rev. Dr. Margaret Benefiel. As Margaret shared in her letter above, she has let the board know that she is ready to retire as Executive Director. As Executive Director, she enhanced the financial…