Religion

The Gospel writers often describe Jesus as rich in compassion. In a world often marked by division, busyness and indifference, his example reminds us that compassion is not just an emotion—it’s a way of life.  Jesus modeled compassion in three powerful ways, and those who...

The Jewish holiday of Passover begins Wednesday night, April 1, 2026. On Passover night, Jews conduct a communal meal in their homes, called a seder. The word seder means “order,” because the meal and its accompanying rituals are conducted in a special prescribed order.  We...

My wife and I just celebrated the tenth anniversary of our move to Morgan Hill. We arrived in town as newlyweds. Three homes, four kids and countless Andy’s Orchard peaches later we continue to feel an immense gratitude for our South County community. As I’ve...

Are we making it all up? My three-year-old has an imaginary friend. They play, laugh and explore together. But that’s not what’s supposed to happen in our faith traditions—right? Too often, my childhood picture of Jesus behaved more like an imaginary friend than the risen...

“There is no peace on earth,” I said, “for hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good-will to men!” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow penned these words in a poem written during the Civil War in 1863. The poem was later set...

In the last week of June, millions of pilgrims are preparing for Hajj, the most important journey in a Muslim’s life. Hajj, the Pilgrimage to Mekka, is an epic journey. It’s the 5th and final pillar of Islam. Hajj takes Muslims on a journey back...

A few of you may have noticed the curious-looking structure that popped up outside my home recently. No, we did not embark on an overnight house expansion project. What you saw is our sukkah—a temporary structure that is the highlight of the weeklong holiday...

In the San Francisco Bay Area, we seem to be in a bubble of more open-minded thinking and inclusion. There are other places, regions and states that seem to be filled with fear of the outsider and suspicion of neighbors of different ethnicity, national...

This week, Jews around the world observed Tisha B’Av, a commemoration known only by its date, the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. This year Tisha B’Av falls on the Gregorian calendar on Thursday, July 27.   Tisha B’Av is the saddest day on...

Words are powerful. They have the ability to shape our lives and the lives of the people around us. A simple phrase can encourage us to be brave, remind us of our worth or even change the direction of our future.  Think about the times...