Paula Jacobs

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Mar 16, 2025, 10:45 PM

COVID-19 Five Years Later: Time to Move On

In this past week’s Torah portion, Ki Tisa, we read how the Israelites fashioned a golden calf while Moses was atop Mount Sinai. As Divine Retribution for their sin, the Israelites were to be punished with a plague, although...

Mar 5, 2025, 10:57 PM

Documenting October 7 for Posterity

When I first heard the horrific news from Israel on that fateful October 7th day in 2023, my thoughts immediately turned to Chaim Nachman Bialik’s poem, “On the Slaughter” which he wrote in 1903 as a young...

Feb 5, 2025, 12:19 AM

Serah bat Asher, Lessons for Today: Parshat Beshallach

When reading this week’s Torah portion, Beshallach, what often comes to mind is the picture of Moses miraculously splitting the Red Sea (Exodus 14:22) as depicted in Hollywood movies. For me, this verse also evokes the image of someone...

Jun 7, 2024, 9:35 AM

Climbing the mountain to Shavuot

As I write these words, it is June 6th, the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landing in Normandy. I’ve just listened to President Biden’s inspiring words about the ideals that American GIs fought for during World War II and...

Oct 4, 2023, 5:43 AM

Sukkot: Lessons of Gratitude from a Flood

I have always regarded the Festival of Sukkot as “Z’man Simchatenu,” the season of our joy as mentioned in the Torah (Leviticus 23:40). Following on the heels of the solemn High Holidays, I have enjoyed this joyful holiday, even...

May 30, 2022, 10:12 PM

Lighting the Yahrzeit Candle for a Broken World

This week, I light two memorial candles: tonight is the first yahrzeit of my dear friend Shirley, who died last year on 1 Sivan. Tomorrow night, my memories will turn to my beloved father, who died on 2 Sivan,...

Jan 9, 2022, 1:41 AM

Tu b’Shevat: Planting Seeds of Hope

We’re now preparing to celebrate Tu b’Shevat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat and Rosh Hashanah L’Ilanot or the New Year of the Trees; it’s a day when it’s become traditional to plant trees, both literally...

Jan 11, 2021, 12:37 AM

My Plea to U.S. Democracy: Please Don’t Forsake Us!

I vividly recall the first time I visited the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston. It was a few days after Senator John McCain died on August 25, 2018. Upon entering the lobby, what...

Dec 23, 2020, 5:27 PM

Embracing Holiday Lights during the Pandemic

It’s nearly a week since I lit the last Hanukkah candles. As I watched the glowing lights of the Hanukkiah flickering on the windowsill against the winter sky, I reflected on the holiday’s inspiring message of hope and resilience...

Nov 25, 2020, 5:58 PM

Gratitude for Connections from Afar during the Pandemic, Looking Ahead

This year, because of 2020 coronavirus safety guidelines, I will deeply miss spending time with family on Thanksgiving. Instead, like millions of other Americans, my husband and I will be not be connecting in person but celebrating the holiday...

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About Me

Paula Jacobs is a Boston area writer. She has published in a variety of digital and print publications including Tablet Magazine, the Forward, and The Jerusalem Post.