Day 61 - Afterword

Day 60 - Our Israel: A Youth Perspective

DAy 59 - Dona Gracia: An Inspring Example

Day 58 - Listening to your Inner Voice

Day 57 - A Modern Day ' Dayeinu' Song

Day 56 - Kids: A Public Commodity

Day 55 - Chevron: Connecting Heaven and Earth

Day 54 - Behind the Mask

Day 53 - Chesed and Gemachs

Day 52 - Mezuzah: Faith and Conciliation

Here's my contribution to the many stories of how mezuzahs protect our homes. We just moved into a new home a few weeks ago. Although there were mezuzahs on our doors, we had to replace them. There was no urgency so I left it for a while. During that time my wife and I were occasionally woken up in the middle of the night by strange noises. At first we put it down to getting used to the new sounds of the house. But it was nerve-wracking. Finally last Friday I had Rabbi Wolf come in to put up new mezuzahs. As it turns out, we needed a number of mezuzahs in places where there hadn't been one before, one or two were on the wrong side of the door and one needed to be replaced. Needless to say, after we put up all 20 mezuzahs! we had no more problems with strange noises.

Day 51 - Aliyah: Making the Move

Day 50 - Succot: The Joy of a Restored Relationship

Day 49 - My name is Esther Wachsman

Day 48 - Making it Happen

Day 47 - Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk

Day 46 - Destination and Destiny

Day 45 - Hide and Seek

Day 44 - The Kotel and the Gate of Prayer

Day 43 - Pesach: One Great Jewish Community

Day 42 - Black Fire on White Fire: The Sanz-Klausenberger Rebbe

Day 41 - The Jewish Family

Day 40 - To Listen and to Do

Day 39 - The Land and its Unique Mitzvot

Day 38 - Jewish Identity: Let's Make it Positive!

Day 36 - Chanukah: Accepting Others

Rabbi YY is one of my favorite rabbis. I met him many years ago in Israel and we have stayed in contact. What I most like about him is he has the ability to get you to think outside the box. (He also has a great sense of humor and a great Scottish accent).

In this essay, he again gets us to think about how we deal with people who are different to us. In the work I do, I am constantly moving between two different worlds - the secular and observant worlds. I believe one of my missions is to try bridge the gap between the two worlds.

So for example, we love inviting people who have never observed Shabbat to spend Shabbat in West Rogers Park. We introduce them to great families, some who have kept Shabbat all their lives. It's a beautiful thing to see how friends can be made at a Shabbat table.

If you have any other thoughts to share about building bridges between people who are different, I'd love to hear them.

Day 37 - King David: Our First and Greatest CEO

Day 35 - Delivering in Dallas

Day 34 - A New Look at the Shemoneh Esrei

Day 33 - Pride in our Judaism

Day 32 - A Divine Document

Day 31 - Successfully Meeting Life's Challenges

I had started this blog with good intentions, aiming to write every day (or at least every couple of days) and this way motivate myself and others to keep reading this great book. However, I fell behind. Then one day I got inspired to continue again. I picked it up and opened to where I was - day 31. The essay was by Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis - and 'coincidentally' I had just heard her speak the night before in West Rogers Park to an audience of over 500 people! If I had told her the story, she would not have been surprised.

Day 30 - Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach: Torah Leader of the Modern Age

Day 29 - A Diaspora Yearning

Day 28 - Coincidences: G-d's Way of Saying Hello

Day 27 - An Inspirational Shavuot

Day 26 - Love, Relationships and Parenting

Day 25 - The Blooming of Israel

Day 24 - Jerusalem: Peace and Beauty

Day 23 - Luggage versus Baggage

Day 22 - What does the Shema Really Mean?

Day 21 - The Tzaddik Reb Aryeh

Day 20 - Yom Kippur, Repentance and the Land of Israel

Day 19 - The Nobel Prize for Literature

Day 18 - Science and Religion: Partners or Adversaries

Day 17 - Esther Cailingold - A Jewish heroine

Day 16 - Some thoughts about Jewish memory

Day 15 - The Mystical City of Tzfat

No words can describe this city. I have spent many Shabbats in Tzfat and the place is quite simply the most spiritual place in the world. I love going there and please G-d, in a couple of weeks I'll be back there with a group of Russian students and young professionals on a first ever trip of this kind for JET.

Day 14 - When breaking the law was breaking my word

This story resonated with me. I do my very best never to cross on a red light even if there is no traffic in sight, and no one around to see. And especially when there are people around, who might be crossing, for example downtown. The reason is a class I once heard from Rabbi Cardozo in Jerusalem about keeping the laws of the land we live in. Before I really knew the extent of the concept, Rabbi Cardozo introduced me to the idea of 'chilul Hashem' (desecrating G-d's name). How can an observant Jew who keeps G-d's commandments not keep the laws of the country that everyone else is expected to keep?

Your thoughts?

Day 13 - The Essence of Purim

Purim is my favorite holiday to celebrate in Israel. It's not because we get drunk (I never drank very much on Purim in Israel). What I love about it is seeing everyone running around on Purim giving everyone shaloch manos (gifts of food), one of the mitzvos of the day. It is an outer expression of the unity of the Jewish people and the love we have for each other. Unfortunately, (and for many reasons), that expression is lost for most of the year. But at least on Purim we can see our true colors. It's a beautiful thing to see.

Day 12 - Living in Israel

Here are some musings from someone living in Israel. I lived in Israel for 6 years and I think about it every day. Any opportunity I get to go back, I do. Fortunately, since I've been working with college students I've been back every 6 months. And I would move back with my family tomorrow if I could (that's a much longer story). I love this book because it gets me thinking about Israel, the place that will always be home.

Day 11 - Living Peacefully - A Simple Guide to Life

Rabbi Abraham Twerski has got to be one of the most amazing Jews alive. He has written literally dozens of books and keeps on coming up with great ideas for writing. For all of us who have had a 'book in the back of my mind' it is astounding how prolific he is. And to top it all, his advice is so good.

My favorite is:
I'd Like to Call for Help but I Don't Know the Number: The Search for the Spirituality in Everyday Life

It's a great introduction to spirituality

Day 10 - Rabbi Kook : Chief Rabbi of Israel

JET is dedicating the learning of the 60 Days book in memory of the 8 students who were murdered in March at the yeshiva named after Rabbi Kook. I visited the yeshiva only once many years ago when I was learning in Yerushalayim.

Some of the stories of the lives of the students are so sad, and yet very inspiring at the same time. You can read about two of the boys, Neria Cohen and Avraham David Moses at
http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/israeldiary/The_Candle_of_God.asp and
http://www.aish.com/jewishissues/israeldiary/Torn_from_the_Heart.asp

Other articles you might like to read can be found at:

http://www.aish.com/spirituality/philosophy/Remember_Amalek.asp

http://www.aish.com/shavuottorah/shavuottorahdefault/Shavuot_Learn-a-thon1.asp

Day 9 - Jewish Medical Ethics

This is such a fascinating area of Jewish thought and law. I'm not a medical person in the slightest but I've listened to Rabbi Dr. Akiva Tatz talk on medical subjects like Triage (the use of limited resources for multiple patients) and have become a lot more interested.

In fact, Rabbi Tatz has a series of lectures on medical ethics that you can find at www.tatz.cc.

What is most fascinating is how Traditional Jewish methods of logic are used to decide on cutting edge technological issues in the medical field.

Day 8 - The Holiness of the Land of Israel

Rabbi Becher explains some of the reasons connecting the physical land of Israel with its kedusha (holiness). In particular, he highlights the observance of the shmitta (sabbatical) year.

This year is a shmitta year in Israel. I was fortunate to have one shmitta year while I was living in Israel. I definitely felt a closer connection to the land during that year. I did have to make certain adjustments to my eating habits and be careful about kashrut considerations, but it was so worth it.

There is still a few months of the shmitta year left this year. If you can, you should try visit this year.

Day 7 - Touching Every Human Need

Stories like this one of Rabbi Israel and his amazing chesed organization, Hazon Yeshaya, make me very proud to be a Jew and inspire me to make my organization the best it can be.

If you'd like to share your story of an inspiring person or organization, we'd love to hear about it.

Day 6 - Our Holy Language: The DNA of Creation

Hebrew is a fascinating language. One of my teachers, Rabbi Akiva Tatz, often shows how words are connected and have a deeper meaning.

Over the years, I have taught many people how to read Hebrew using the excellent material from National Jewish Outreach Program (www.njop.org). If you don't know how to read Hebrew, you'd be amazed how easy it is to learn using this program. And then the whole world of Hebrew and it's spiritual connections will be open to you.

Day 5 - A Journey Through Israel

One writer's thoughts on some of his favorite sites in Israel.

My favorite place in Israel is the holy city of Tzfat and I've been fortunate to spend a number of Shabbats there. It's not just the place, it's also the time and there's nothing like a Shabbat in Tzfat.

Although I've visited Israel many times and lived there for 6 years, there are a myriad different places and I'm always excited to visit a new place I haven't seen before. This last visit over the winter break, I spent a Shabbat in Ramat Beit Shemesh, in the Judean Hillls between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Perhaps you'd like to share your favorite site.

Day 4: From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur: Actualizing your Potential

Sara Rigler is my favorite Jewish writer. Her articles, including this one, appear on www.aish.com. I have been fortunate to meet her and she has spoken for JET a number of times. (You can hear one of those talks on my podcast www.rugbyrabbi.podomatic.com).

This essay is related to Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. However the message of learning from the paing of others, and putting our lives in perspective compared to those who have suffered tragedies, is an ongoing one.

I just read an email today about the ongoing medical struggles of an infant child and the amazing strength and faith of their parents.

As I write this, we are approaching Pesach. You can read another great essay by Sara Rigler with a Pesach theme, also discussing achieving greatness through struggle at www.aish.com or at http://www.aish.com/passthought/passthoughtdefault/The_Catapult1.asp if it is no longer on the home page when you read this posting.

Day 3 - Tehillim: The Ultimate Connectivity

Another delightful essay, this time a concise and carefully crafted summary of probably the most widely used book of Tanach of all times, Tehillim - Psalms.

There are Psalms for all occasions.

Currently, synagogues around the world say two Psalms at the end of Shacharit (the morning prayer) to ask for G-d's help to protect us in Israel from all the enemies we face.

When I lived in Jerusalem, I would always see people on the buses reading the book of Tehillim. Some read the whole book every day! And many know all 150 Psalms by heart! Many others cover them in the course of a month. In the 60 Days book there is a suggested Psalm to read each day.

There are many translations today and I recommend the interlinear one by artscroll to help you learn how to read them in the original hebrew and understand what you are reading. Go to www.artscroll.com and search for tehillim.

Another recommendation is a great commentary on Tehillim, Growth Through Tehillim, by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin, noted author of numerous inspiring books. "He presents us with the key to Tehillim's hidden treasures. In his captivating style, he offers analyses of many verses of Tehillim with practical suggestions for how to implement their message to transform our lives. This work is replete with anecdotes illustrating how such sage advice has helped people achieve success. Growth Through Tehillim is an invaluable aid to anyone seeking a happier, more meaningful life. Go to http://www.artscroll.com/Books/gtth.html for some sample pages.

Day 2 - Tiberias: A Tale of Romans, Rabbis and Renewal

I learnt so much from this short historical vignette of Tiberias. For example, I had no idea that the pronounciation (sorry, this is the way, we South Africans spell that word) of Hebrew as we know it today was introduced in Tiberias.

It is another reminder that there is always something new to learn about Israel and its history. Knowing more about the places you visit makes the visit more meaningful.

Rav Mendel Weinbach, Rosh Yeshiva of Ohr Somayach, has been writing a column for years, called Love of the Land, with short pieces on familiar and unfamiliar places in Israel.

Go to http://ohr.edu/yhiy.php?seriesid=6&archive=1 to see the archives.

Day 1 - The Miracle of Israel

Rabbi Sacks is so eloquent. He captures our thoughts and feelings so powerfully. What a great introduction to this project.

Chicago Launch of 60 Days for 60 Years: Israel set for April 8

Coinciding with JET's 2nd Annual Benefit Event, The Great Debate, JET will be launching its new learning project: the 60 Days for 60 Years: Israel - A commemoration and celebration.

Attendees will each receive a copy of the new book which has 60 essays by prominent Jewish writers.

The Chicago learning is dedicated in memory of the eight students of Merkaz HaRav Kook yeshiva who were murdered in a terrorist attack in March, 2008.

To be among the first to join this exciting project, order your tickets online at www.jeteam.com

The Great Debate is on Tuesday, April 8th at the NorthShore Center for Performing Arts in Skokie.

If you are unable to attend, but would like to order your copy, call 773-465-5378.

We will have an online option to order books soon.

Regards
Rabbi Zev Kahn

Day 60 - Shabbat, December 23 - 60 Days for 6 Million

Mazaltov!

Rabbi Shaw's words speak for themselves.

I give you all a bracha, a blessing, that this project you undertook should inspire you to continue your Jewish learning - and inspire you to get others to participate.

Day 59 - Friday, December 22 - Why am I a Jew?

Read this as if you're speaking in front of a thousand young Jewish students and you'll get goosebumps. Rabbi Sacks has so eloquently captured the challenge of our times as Jews.

Day 58 - Thursday, December 21 - A Prayer

I have found that the last five or six essays have been the most powerful of the book.

This one by Eli Wiesel is another very important one. Many people have read Eli's book, Night, in which he questions G-d. As he explains in this essay, later in his life, his faith returned.

His struggle to maintain his relationship with G-d is an inspiration to us all who face lesser struggles than he did.

Day 57 - Wednesday, December 20 - End of Days

Quite an appropriate title as we approach the end of this historic first cycle of 60 Days here in Chicago. I hope you've enjoyed this project as much as I have and that you have learned a lot. At the very least, I hope it has aroused your desire to learn more.

Please encourage your friends to sign up for our next cycle, beginning January 3rd and concluding the day before Purim.

This essay draws on the story of Purim to describe a fundamental idea about the Jewish view of the coming of the Messiah. The headlines of today's newspapers confirm this outlook in a very strong way.