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Lisa Gelber

Living Life One Breath at a Time

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Jan 20, 2026, 7:25 AM

Freedom From. Freedom to. Gotcha Day #16

January 19, 2026 Rosh Hodesh Shevat Dearest Zahara, Sixteen. SIXTEEN. Ten years and six more since that first Gotcha Day. You landed in my arms your own person. Solid, Strong. LOUD. Cute, too. You arrived without much warning. Just a few days to...

Dec 2, 2024, 10:51 PM

Call the light forward and be that light: Omer Neutra z”l

People sign a poster during a memorial service for Israeli tank commander Omer Neutra, killed on October 7 and his body taken to Gaza, in Syosset, New York, on December 3, 2024. (Bryan R. SMITH / AFP)

Mourning this loss, I wanted to hide under the covers, but how can I? The lives in peril for 14 months need us to get up and speak for them

Nov 3, 2024, 4:59 AM

Watching the Flag in Central Park

November 2, 2024 Day 393 Marathon weekend is my favorite weekend in NYC. Streets teem with visitors from around the world. Myriad languages fill the air. The city pulses with the energy of the sport which has no hitting, tripping, or tackling. From...

Jul 8, 2022, 6:21 PM

Water for the soul: Death, life and my mother’s 80th

For the past few weeks, I've lived in a state of anticipatory mourning. This Saturday marks seven years since my father left this earth. It was a gorgeous day. The sun shone. The birds sang. My daughter played happily...

Jul 8, 2021, 11:14 PM

Nothing random about gun violence

Max Lewis. (screenshot, CBS Denver)

Max Lewis faced a ventilator for the rest of his life or removing life support - it matters little that the bullet that forced that decision wasn't premeditated

Jul 2, 2021, 8:13 AM

You Are Your Neighbor’s Kippah

When the young boy was asked by his father to say the prayer over the bread, he realized he didn't have his head covered...so he asked his little brother to rest a hand on his head until prayers were...

May 18, 2021, 8:33 AM

Thunderous Footfalls and a Cheerful Face. Remembering my Father at 80

My father was larger than life. He was big in physical stature. He also made himself known and noticed. He had a tremendous footfall. If you're familiar with Land of the Lost (I'm clearly dating myself now), he sounded...

May 7, 2021, 7:14 AM

Hold On, Listen and Let Go

May 7, 2021/25 Iyar 5781 This Sunday, the calendar reminds me, is Mother's Day. For some, this is a time of celebration, of story and memory, a day of togetherness, sweets and good will. For others, it is a day...

Feb 4, 2021, 10:58 PM

Seeing Thunder: The Revelation of ADHD

As we enter the 48th week of our corona-time lock down, I'm thinking about the many satirical videos I've watched throughout this extended period designed to lift up and poke fun at the way we make it through each...

Dec 24, 2020, 5:25 PM

A shattered mezuzah: Living off-kilter with love

The other day, I headed out of my apartment and found our mezuzah smashed on the ground outside the door. Stunned, I bent down to collect the pieces with my gloved hand. My sister gave me this mezuzah for...

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About Me

Lisa Gelber is rabbi, fierce mother, marathon runner, weaver, connector, spiritual director, breast cancer survivor, domestic violence advocate and PELOTON enthusiast. She holds an Executive Certificate in Facilitation from the Institute for Transformational Leadership at Georgetown University. Her journey to parenthood is profiled in the Emmy nominated documentary ALL OF THE ABOVE: Single, Clergy, Mother.