What's an MP3?

Every year, for the days between our birthdays, my brother and I celebrate the Five to Ten--a time to take five-to-ten minutes each day to work on creative projects. Together, we create and tackle a prompt or a project. It allows us to work on something together, even if we're not in the same city.

This year, David and I are both in a time of transition. I'm starting rabbinical school and he's getting married. In order to experience how change is at once gradual and sudden, we assigned ourselves to take an object, and each day during the Five to Ten, make a change to it. The idea is to see how change happens over time.

I actually chose a few objects--a vinyl record, a cassette tape, and a CD. I wanted to see how these objects gradually--over time--transformed into the iPod. To do so, I would need scissors and plenty of glue. Enjoy!

The Five to Ten

My birthday is May 5. My brother's birthday is May 10.

A couple years ago, David and I started celebrating the days between our birthdays with an annual tradition we call "The Five to Ten." From May 5-10, we spend 5-10 minutes a day working simultaneously on some sort of creative project. One year, we had to write a poem each day about members of our family. Another year, we were to select a song each day that holds special significance for us. Another year, we wrote each day about interesting things we learned in college or grad school.

This year, David and I are both in a time of transition. I'm finishing my time working at Hillel at Emory, my time living in Atlanta, and moving to Israel for the year with my girlfriend Leah to start rabbinical school. David is getting married. We're using the Five to Ten to honor our transitions. On May 5, we were each to select an object make slight changes to that object every day until May 10. The idea is to see how transformation happens gradually over time. Check back again soon for photos of my project.

Parshat Emor--Jewish Holidays and Transition

This Shabbat was Parshat Emor, in the book of Leviticus. Below, audio from a d'var torah I delivered this week at a Hillels of Georgia staff meeting and again at our seniors' graduation reception.

How the Jewish holiday cycle helps us recognize transition.

We Are Dreaming Outloud

If you've spent much time in Freedom Park, you might have noticed this awesome quote scrawled on the pavement. If you haven't spent much time in Freedom Park, you should!


(Click the title of this post for video.)

Full text:
If I could whisper softly into the absolute, after saying thanks, I might make a wish. Tonight I would wish for understanding. I would wish that these scripts, sometimes held in disdain, were understood as coming from a place of purity, and by way of an ancient disposition. We have been scrawling these mysteries on our walls since before there were walls. I would wish that these expressions were considered fundamental and innate: as having emerged from our very humanity. We’ve got a need as human beings to surround ourselves with the beauty of our own imaginings manifest. We are dreaming outloud.