Lisa Gelber, at The Blogs

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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...

Jul 17, 2020, 7:59 AM

Five Years Later. Showing Gd How To Mourn

I remember like it was yesterday. The first day in a long time I felt rested and could attend to my own needs. I see myself standing outside my daughter's daycare, chatting with another parent, enjoying the sun on...

May 28, 2020, 8:24 AM

For The Love of Cheesecake

Yesterday, I walked north of our apartment for the first time in two months. Cheesecake was calling me. Cheesecake? Yes! That morning, I received a note from the Marlene Meyerson JCC informing me that as one of the first...

May 11, 2020, 5:10 AM

You Gave Me Mother’s Day

When my daughter was about six years old we had the following conversation at bedtime. Me: Z, You made me a mommy. Z: No, I didn't. Me: What do you mean? You made me a mommy. Z: Mama, you had a baby in...

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About Me

Lisa Gelber is rabbi, fierce mother, marathon runner, spiritual director, breast cancer survivor, domestic violence advocate and PELOTON enthusiast. She serves Congregation Habonim in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of NYC and earned 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.