Eight of Janet R. Kirchheimer’s poems have been published by the United Kingdom based HSFA’s website, a Leeds-based charity set up in 1996. Their aim is to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and use its lessons to work towards a more tolerant society in which difference and diversity are celebrated.

To read the poems...
From Holocaust Survivors Friendship Association

Holidays and tough economic times don’t sound like a good fit, but in speaking with Ben Merens, Rabbi Irwin Kula shows how by embracing the small things, by being "extra present" rather than just giving presents, we can embrace the holiday spirit, make meaningful memories, and create a wealth of real deeds.

Listen......

Wisconsin Public Radio’s At Issue With Ben Merens, 12/20/10

See-Saw Poem: Balance
It's been there since the summer I was eight,
sitting on a seesaw in the playground with a friend,
whose name I don't remember.
Her feet were on the ground, and I
was up in the air.....

More...
By Janet R. Kirchheimer From Explora Torah’s Parsha Blog

Listen...
From the Judith Regan Show on Sirius Radio, 12/1/10

"Jesus, in all likelihood did observe Hanukkah. Without entering into a debate about the historical Jesus, we can assume that virtually all Jews
living in the first century of the Common Era would have celebrated Hanukkah. How they would have observed the day is more open to question...."

More...
From Windows & Doors, Brad Hirschfield’s daily blog on Beliefnet

"As we celebrate Chanukah 5771, we also begin to wind up the first decade of the 21st century, and what a decade it has been. America went to war and remains at war to this day. Israel and the Palestinians are still unable to make peace. The economy, both at home and in most of the developed
world, is shaky, with most of us still wondering exactly how close we came to another Great Depression, and some still waiting for the other shoe to drop...quot;

Rabbi Irwin Kula Irwin is scheduled to be on FOX NEWS Strategy Room — "God Talk" on Friday, Dec. 3, from 10:45 – 11 AM. The topic is the central meaning of Hanukkah and the important issues for the Jewish community over the past year. The website address is http://live.foxnews.com

Web shows are not always archived.
Click here to watch.

Sanctuary
I am marking time in this exquisite
jail I have created
out of flowers.
Come in, I will show you....

More...

By Janet R. Kirchheimer From Explora Torah’s Parsha Blog

"You’ve got Hanukkah questions, On Faith has answers. Rabbi Brad Hirschfield answers your questions about the holiday...."

More...

From Brad Hirschfield’s blog in the Washington Post-Newsweek’s "On Faith" Column

"As we celebrate Hanukkah 5771, we also begin to wind up the first decade of the 21st century, and what a decade it has been. America went to war and remains so to this day. Israel and the Palestinians are still unable to make peace. The economy, both at home and in most of the developed world, is shaky, with most of us still wondering exactly how close we came to another Great Depression, and some still waiting for the other shoe to drop...."