An Open Heart
by Melanie Gruenwald I recently began practicing yoga. After class, I notice that my heart feels wide open. I leave the studio wanting to connect with people. On Sundays, I wander through the Farmers Market after my flow, eager to share not only my Palisade peaches but also my spirit. Sometimes I even catch […]
Every New Beginning
by Melanie Gruenwald This time of year is always full of beginnings and endings—beginning of the school year, job changes, the turning of seasons. But this year, change feels sharper, closer to the bone. My husband has taken a job in another state. My twins are beginning their senior year of high school. Our home […]
Choosing Joy: A Weekend Away, a Soul Returned
by Melanie Gruenwald This past weekend, I stepped away with my husband — not far geographically, but far enough to remember myself. We went to southwest Colorado- we enjoyed staying in a yurt, near hot springs with a view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Great Sand Dunes. There was no agenda, no […]
When the Rock Feels Heavy: Awareness in Uncertain Times
by Melanie Gruenwald This week, I had a lot of big feelings. I don’t know if it’s related to the energy in the world related to the upcoming Torah portion (biblical narrative) of Moses striking the rock to draw water—when he was meant to speak to it instead—or the experience of a world that feels […]
Netzach: Creative Journey
by Melanie Gruenwald This semester, I am a teaching a new class, Creative Journey through the Sefirot. This course is inspired by Rabbi Adina Allen’s non-profit organization, The Jewish Studio Project, and her book, The Place of All Possibility. It has been so enlightening to study the sefirot in depth with our class, and […]
We Are All Storytellers: What’s Your Story?
by Melanie Gruenwald We are all storytellers. Once upon a time, I was born. From there, my journey has been shaped by growth, family, study, friendships, love, travel, career, children, loss, and more growth. There’s no “The End” yet—someday there will be. Until then, the narrative continues. We all live within stories, shaped by metaphors […]
Creativity and Kabbalah
by Melanie Gruenwald Creativity is one of the most powerful forces in our lives. It fuels our ability to express, to solve problems, and to bring something entirely new into the world. But where does it come from? Science looks to the brain for answers, while Kabbalah sees creativity as an expression of divine flow. […]
Holding Opposites: Power of Choice in the Face of Darkness
First they came for the Communists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Communist Then they came for the Socialists And I did not speak out Because I was not a Socialist Then they came for the trade unionists And I did not speak out Because I was not a trade […]
Los Angeles is on Fire
Los Angeles is on fire. The Palisades are gone. My teacher and friend, Rabbi Bradley Artson shared on TikTok: What are we supposed to do in all of this? All of our traditions, all of our wisdom, teach us to dig down and find he resilience to be there for each other. In the […]
Five Principles to Live By
by Melanie Gruenwald Life is a journey filled with moments of joy, challenge, and discovery. Along the way, we often find ourselves searching for meaning and clarity. For me, five principles guide my path and provide a foundation for navigating the complexities of life. These principles—simple yet profound—have become the compass I use to find […]