Eitz Haim Hi? עץ חיים היא https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFeTBV4JSNk In Jewish tradition, the "Tree of Life," is a symbol that I feel very strongly tied to, for many reasons. A significant reason is my name Elana, in Hebrew means; "tree" or "oak tree." Oak trees are mighty, giant trees known for their sacred wisdom, unyielding strength and… Continue reading What Can We Learn From the Trees?
Counting the Omer Within…ME
Here is my reflection on my experience on Counting the Omer, a spiritual practice in Judaism that we observe from Passover to Shavuot Before diving deeper into "Counting the Omer and what this all means, " I need to take sometime to reflect how this all came to be and why it has taken me… Continue reading Counting the Omer Within…ME
Helper + Adventurer
It has been months since I have sat down and even wrote a sentence. It already feels good. Why do I stop things that help me to deal with my emotions and make me feel HUMAN...
All the Systems…so broken, disconnected, so little time…and so much to do
I wrote this several months ago and now giving myself permission to share it. Systems broken.....more apparent than ever before (CO-Vid 19) March 2020 when the world started to wake up and people started open their eyes Let's bring it back to 2007 (when this all kinda began): Originally an Art Education major. I was… Continue reading All the Systems…so broken, disconnected, so little time…and so much to do
Trusting the Divine + Within (ELUL Part 1)
How can we love ourselves? Let go- Frou Frou What does it mean to fully TRUST the universe? How can we when things are without our control? What can we control? Looking at the Jewish calendar, we're in this time called, "Elul," it can be recognized by referencing, Ani l'dodi v'dodi li, "I am to… Continue reading Trusting the Divine + Within (ELUL Part 1)
Tishrei
New Orleans Funeral March Poem: The gathering of community under a white tent, a haven, a sacred place The voices of children shouting, and crying fills the room with a thousand trumpets The gentle touch of a friendly face, the love that fills our bellies and smiles that hurt our face It is time. It… Continue reading Tishrei
What can Av teach us?
Disclaimer: I am no religious expert, these are just my thoughts...and I hope this brings a different perspective + overall creates more dialogue around this concept. Today is August 1st, our country is on fire, more and more people are dying because of COVID-19; a virus that is making us question everything: How did we… Continue reading What can Av teach us?
Earth Day + The Power of Organizing
Today is the 50th Anniversary of EARTH Day....what does this even mean...fifty years...where will be in fifty more years? Where will we be in a few years? In a year? Where will we be? What will our Earth look like? Will we have listened to her..have we actually woken up? I don't know about you… Continue reading Earth Day + The Power of Organizing
BE HUMAN
As the WHOLE WIDE WORLD is in utter panic, isolation, lock down, complete uncertainty. I felt like this was good time of any, to start blogging again. Plus, I want something to refer back to and remember what this time was like. So here it goes... About a week ago, there were reports that this… Continue reading BE HUMAN
Mountain Medicine
Habibi. Shalom. Hello! For a few weeks, months now, I have been itching to go the mountains. This time of year, no matter where you are the holidays became busier, more stressful and if you are alone, it becomes increasingly more difficult to feel good. Lately, I have been focusing more on my mental health,… Continue reading Mountain Medicine