Eternal Love

It’s a beautiful feeling
What we got deep inside
We got a flame that will last forever
Together you and I

Such a rush of emotions
There’s no way we can push it away
Cuz they’ll never tear our love apart
Our bond will never break

Do you believe in the power
Of everlasting love
We can make it if we stay together
Our love is just enough

Promise me this forever
We’ll always stay this way
We can start at the end of time
And do it all again

Oh my love
I’m all yours
And there will never be another one
‘cause I’m eternally yours
My heart’s a flame
And it’s burning in your name
Even through the sands of time
My love will always grow
And I won’t let go

No matter if you’re near or far
Our bond will never break

Promise me this forever
We’ll always stay this way
We can start at the end of time
And do it all again

As We Once Were

You lay with the window open wide,

the curtains licking the air.

Two bodies merged as one,

entwined in limbs, sweat and wind,

bedraggled breaths roll from your throat.

 

I watch as you press your pink fleshy lips to his.

Your head dipping habitually to where his hand rests on your shoulder.

The smile spreads slowly across your face as he strokes your cheek with an outstretched forefinger.

You take it in your mouth, as though it were a stick of rock.

Sweet as honey,

as sweet as the grin that emblazons your face.

 

Enjoy it while you can my love.

For neither of you will see tomorrow.

You will both become dust, trapped in the wind,

blowing through an open window into a room of treachery

The Meaning of Love

The Meaning of Love
“Both light and shadow
are the dance of Love.

Love has no cause;
it is the astrolabe of God’s secrets.
Lover and Loving are inseparable
and timeless.
Although I may try to describe Love
when I experience it I am speechless.

Although I may try to write about Love
I am rendered helpless;
my pen breaks and the paper slips away
at the ineffable place
where Lover, Loving and Loved are one.
Every moment is made glorious
by the light of Love. ״

 

Jews Celebrate Their New Year and Face An Increase in Hate Crimes

HATE CRIMES – As summer fades into fall, for Jews around the world the High Holy Days approach.  Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time of elation and celebration, when the observant and non-observant alike rejoice with their families and friends and look forward to the promise of the next year. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is a holiday during which Jews reflect on the year just passed and decide how to make amends for any transgressions in the past year. Together these two holidays mark an important time, a time in which they ponder just what being Jewish means to them.

 

Unfortunately for many Jews, this is a time in which they are all too aware of the rising number of hate crimes directed at them for no reason other than their faith.

According to the FBI’s annual data on hate crimes, defined as criminal offenses which are motivated by bias, crimes targeting the Jewish community consistently constitute over half of all religion-based crimes. The number of hate crimes against Jews has ranged between 600 and 1,200 each year since the FBI began collecting data in the 1990s. There were 683 hate crimes against Jews in 2020, 963 in 2019 and 847 in 2018.  Worse still, the FBI’s data is based on voluntary reporting by local law enforcement. For a variety of reasons, dozens of large cities either underreport or do not report hate crime data at all.

The above statistics were reported by the Anti-Defamation League, which also reported in its annual Audit of Antisemitic incidents that in 2020, it tabulated 2,024 reported antisemitic incidents throughout the country, the third-highest year on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979.

The ADL audit goes on to report that of the 2,024 incidents recorded in 2020, 1,242 were cases of harassment, a 10% increase from 1,127 in 2019.

But Jew hate is not confined to harassment and attacks against Jewish persons. The ADL audit details that in 2020, there were 327 reported antisemitic incidents at Jewish institutions such as synagogues, Jewish community centers and Jewish schools, an increase of 40% from 234 in 2019. Two hundred and sixty-four (264) were incidents of harassment, 61 were incidents of vandalism and three were incidents of assault. Of the 264 incidents of harassment, 114 were “zoom bombings”, incidents where virtual meetings were interrupted by hate speech against Jews.  Add to this the white supremacist fleering incidents, anti-Israel extremist protests and acts of vandalism against those institutions, and it is clear that Jews are facing increasingly vitriolic and hateful rhetoric and incidents.

From 2018 to 2020, the ADL audit continues, “between seven and nine percent of antisemitic incidents reported to ADL have explicitly incorporated anti-Israel or anti-Zionist elements. This includes Jewish people being told they should “go back to Israel,” synagogues being vandalized with pro-Palestinian graffiti, the distribution of flyers blaming Israel for perpetrating the 9/11 terrorist attacks, or Jewish students being harassed or excluded from student life because of their real or assumed connections to Israel. In January 2022, an individual was arrested by detectives with the New York Police Department Hate Crimes Task Force for using antisemitic slurs while physically assaulting a Jewish man who refused his demands to remove a sweatshirt with the logo of the Israel Defense Forces.”

As if all that is not enough, antisemitic incidents in this country seem to rise during and after peaks in military conflict in the Middle East.  After the May 2021 conflict between Israel and Hamas, antisemitic incidents more than doubled, compared to the same time period in 2020.

The list of examples of extremists and antisemites perpetrating deadly violence against Jews is a long one, too long to list here in this article (to see the list, visit the ADL website at adl.org).  But the bottom line is this:  at just the time that they are celebrating the most important and sacred holidays on their calendar, Jews face the reality that they have increasingly become targets for hate from extremists, from terrorists, and from the ignorant who walk among us.  As Jews ready for their New Year and Day of Atonement, let us resolve to redouble our efforts to fight hate of ALL types.

Let us DEMAND from our elected leaders more than just words, but strong action against hate crimes.  Let us resolve that within each of our neighborhoods, within our college and university campuses, and on our streets hate of ALL types will NOT be accepted.  Together we can work to make our society one that accepts all who are different from ourselves and make our society one that will make it clear that hate is NEVER acceptable,  Let us all pray for the day when hate against Jews, and all others, is but a dim and unpleasant memory.

Becoming a Better Version of Myself: 4 Simple Steps That Make a Big Difference

Life is a constant stream of change, and as time flows, we should evolve along with it, should always striving to embrace the opportunity to become a better version of ourselves.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably pondered about becoming a better version of yourself.

Well, good news: the path to personal growth doesn’t have to be complicated.

In fact, I’ve discovered four simple steps that have helped me transform my life in meaningful ways. Let’s dive in and explore these steps together.

Step 1: Set Clear Goals

Picture this: You’re on a road trip without a map or a destination in mind. You’ll likely end up lost and frustrated.

Similarly, setting clear goals is like charting a map for your personal growth journey.

Define what you want to achieve, whether it’s landing that dream job, improving your fitness, or nurturing your relationships.

For instance, let’s say you want to improve your health. Instead of vaguely saying, “I want to get fit,” set a specific goal like, “I will jog for 30 minutes every morning and reduce sugary snacks to twice a week.”

This clarity will guide your actions and keep you motivated.

Step 2: Continuous Learning

Imagine life as a never-ending classroom, where each experience is an opportunity to learn.

Whether it’s picking up a new skill, reading a book, or simply reflecting on your day, continuous learning keeps your mind sharp and your perspective fresh.

Consider this: You’re learning to play the guitar. At first, your fingers fumble, and the chords sound off.

But with practice and patience, your skills improve.

Embrace this process in all areas of life, and soon you’ll realize how much growth comes from simply being open to learning.

Step 3: Embrace Failure as a Friend

Let’s face it, we all stumble sometimes.

But instead of letting failure discourage you, see it as a stepping stone.

Think about learning to ride a bike.

Did you master it without a few falls? Each stumble taught you balance and resilience.

In the same way, don’t let setbacks define you.

Use them to learn, adapt, and grow. Remember, failure is a sign that you’re pushing your boundaries and trying new things.

Step 4: Practice Self-Compassion

Think about how you treat your closest friend when they’re going through a tough time. Chances are, you offer them understanding, kindness, and encouragement.

Now, why not treat yourself the same way?

Being kind to yourself, especially during setbacks, is essential for personal growth. Imagine you’re struggling with a project at work.

Instead of berating yourself for not getting it right, take a moment to acknowledge your effort and remind yourself that mistakes happen.

This self-compassion not only boosts your self-esteem but also fuels your determination to keep improving.

Conclusion:

Becoming a better version of yourself is a journey worth taking, and it doesn’t have to be complicated.

By setting clear goals, embracing continuous learning, seeing failure as an opportunity, and practicing self-compassion, you’re well on your way to meaningful personal growth.

Just remember, this journey is uniquely yours.

Celebrate every small victory, learn from every stumble, and watch yourself blossom into the incredible person you’re meant to be.

Love Is Light

Love Is Light

Love is a connection
of the souls.
It can break down
barriers and travel
through time.
It can connect people’s
hearts and minds.
Love is a whisper of words
that comfort you at night.
Love is beautiful.
Love is hopeful.
Love is light.

I never Thought

Can I touch you?
I can’t believe that you are real
How did I ever find you?
You are the dream that saved my life
You are the reason I survived

I never thought that I could love
Someone as much as I love you
I know it’s crazy but it’s true
I never thought that I could need
Someone as much as I need you
I love you…

Can I hold you?
Girl your smile lights up the sky
You are too beautiful for the human eye
You are the dream that never dies
You are the fire that burns inside

I never thought that I could love
Someone as much as I love you
I know it’s crazy but it’s true
I never thought that I could need
Someone as much as I need you

 

I Haven’t Changed

I haven’t changed
I am still that strange young man
who was singing love songs to you
who was inventing Sundays for you
who was making you travel…
I haven’t changed
I am still that guy a little bit mad
who used to tell you about America
but he wasn’t rich enough
to take you to Corfu (Greek Island

And you haven’t changed either
still the same light perfume
still the same little smile

I wanted to protect you
to look after you, to belong to you
I wanted to come back to you.
I haven’t changed

I haven’t changed
I am still choosing the road I please
Only one road on Earth
has succeeded to make me like it,
the one we were following together…

I Love Your Eyes

I love your eyes, your sparkling eyes;
They speak to me softly, with no lies.

Your eyes are like the morning dew,
Refreshing, delightful and beautiful.
Your eyes glow and I drown in their beauty.
I would love to stay there in a blissful frenzy.

Every time I look into your eyes,
I’m lost in innumerable memories
And I forget the world around me.

Your eyes, your mesmerizing eyes.
I love your eyes …
You are my greatest prize.