Captures of Nature, High Holy Days Reading

The photograph above always brings me back to the Smokey Mountains, and to the beauty and awe of nature. To call the scenic setting breathtaking, is an understatement. Like Yosemite National Park, the sea, or the Grand Canyon, the Smokey Mountains leave me gasping at the wonder of it all.

Recommended Reading in preparation for the High Holy Days:

Waiting for Rain, by Bryna Jocheved Levy

The Koren Sacks Siddur: A Hebrew/English Prayerbook, by Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks

Preparing Your Heart for the High Holy Days, by Dr. Kerry M. Olitzky

A Jewish Woman’s Prayer Book, by Dr. Aliza Laviwe

Days of Awe: A Treasury of Jewish Wisdom for Reflection, Repentance, and Renewal on the High Holy Days, by Shmuel Yosef Agnon

The How & Why of Jewish Prayer, by Israel Rubin

The Gift of Rest, by Senator Joe Lieberman

The Jewish Body, by Melvin Konner

Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl

Seyder Tkhines, by Devra Kay

Hours of Devotion, by Dinah Berland

Entering the High Holy Days, by Rabbi Reuven Hammer

August 21, 2012 – 3 Elul, 5772

Copyright 2007, L.M. No permission is given to reproduce, copy or use my writings or photographs in any manner.

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Sunday Scenes – August 5, 2012

I took a walk recently on the various paths that surround a local lake and took some photos. Four of the results are below. I wanted to get some captures that didn’t include the lake, for a change.

On a serious note, I discovered the poem below, on the Velveteen Rabbi’s blog. It was written by Syrian poet Ali Ahmed Said. I find it to be emotionally evoking, lovely and inspiring.

A Prayer for Syria

Shekhinah, in Whose womb creation is nurtured:
when your children are slaughtered you weep.
Bring peace beneath Your fierce embrace
to Syria. Let a new image of the world be born
in which American Jews pray for Syrians, who pray
for Israelis, who pray for Palestinians, who pray
even for American Jews. Fill the hearts
of the insurgents with Your compassion
so that when the regime comes to its end
no one seeks the harsh justice of retaliation.
And for us: strengthen our resolve not to turn away.
We bless You, Source of Mercy. Bring wholeness

August 5, 2012 – 17 Av, 5772

© Copyright – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Friday Skies, June Jewish Book Carnival, JpiX, Shabbat

My photographs are captures of sky, water and landscape, taken at a local Japanese Garden a few days ago.

Please check out Jewish Muse for the June Jewish Book Carnival offerings.

The next Jpix is June 24, 2012, so send your links in, here, asap! “JPiX is a blog carnival about photos related to Jewish topics, mostly by Jewish photo bloggers but non-Jewish photo bloggers can submit photos of Jewish themes.”

Visit Skywatch Friday for more sky scenes from around the world.

Shabbat Shalom!

© Copyright 2010-2012 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

June 15, 2012 – 25 Sivan, 5772

Canyon, Stream and Sunflower, Oh My!

I’m late in posting these, time has a way of moving out from underneath me, some days.

Visit the blogs below for more photographs from around the world.

Nature Notes Wednesday

Our World Tuesday

Outdoor Wednesday

May 27, 2012 – 6 Sivan, 5772 No permission is granted to reproduce, copy or reuse my prose, reviews, writings, photography, etc., without my permission”><img

May 30, 2012 – 9 Sivan, 5772

No permission is granted to reproduce, copy or reuse my prose, reviews, writings, photography, etc., without my permission

Wednesday’s World

It is time for Nature Notes Wednesday.

It is also Outdoor Wednesday, today!

April 11, 2012 – 19 Nisan, 5772

Out and About

I spent a day at Descanso Gardens, this past weekend, to attend the Cherry Blossom Festival.

I rained in the morning, but the sun came out at about noon. My morning photos are rather dismal looking, what with the overcast skies. My afternoon photos were much more enhanced due to the sun.

The above photo with cherry trees in the background, was taken in the cloud-covered morning.

We were walking through one of the many paths when the sun came out, and the trees were almost bare looking, but getting some buds on them.

I loved the tones of these lovelies.

Why not go on over to Our World Tuesday and browse through the many photos on the meme.

More photographs of the gardens will follow throughout the next few days.

March 27, 2012 – 4 Nisan, 5772