A Word From Rabbi Pearl Barlev...
Dream a Little Dream
If you are someone who has ever moved between doldrum and
delight, know that these months in the Jewish calendar are windows
into dreams and hopes for you.They are the months of Av and Elul.
The month of Av is the doldrum of months in the Jewish cycle. In
Av the Jewish people lost our sacred temples, and were sent to exile away
from our beloved Jerusalem. To this day Jews fast on the ninth of Av
each year in mourning for these lost dreams and hopes.
The month of Elul may be considered the most hopeful, as we
prepare for and anticipate the delight of new beginnings of the soon to
come new year, Rosh Hashanah.
As we flow with the seasons of our heritage we learn that we can
hope for our dreams and dream for our hopes.
I invite you to look through this Jewish calendar window at the
pleasant panorama of possibilities. Dare to recover lost dreams and
create new ones. Dare to dream how you might change your world
with a better relationship, life, health, community, or whatever is your
delight.
The Talmud teaches “A dream not interpreted is like a letter unread”. If you have a dream lying dormant, and it is not interpreted or explored, it may be like the message of a letter that is unread. You will never truly know what potential it holds for you. Without exploring the possiblities of your dream, neither you nor the Holy
Blessed One can draw a treasure map to the vista of life lived to the fullest, and the pathway that passes through
the panorama, to the enchanted world of the creation and fruition of your dreams.
These months, dare to dream a little dream for yourself!
As a community, SYVJC can literally open its windows and see the inspiring vista of vineyards, and the fruits
of friendship and Jewish connection. We invite you to continue to dream with us as we continue to build and
expand our Jewish life here in Santa Ynez Valley: last year a new Rabbi; this year a new Education Director for our children’s learning program; and next the dream that we will continue to explore the vibrancy of our friendships, our community, our spirituality, and our Jewish life, right at our very own windows in our very own valley! Join us, bring friends and add your dreams and delights. Together, let's read the unread letter of our
dreams, explore the meanings of the message as we imagine, create, and delight in the possibilities of our
community.
Let's dare to dream a little dream, together!
Many blessings, Rabbi Pearl Barlev
Reach Out to Us:
805-693-4243
thesyvjc@gmail.com
Member of the Union for Reform Judaism
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WORDS FROM THE RABBI
Rabbi Barlev is the Jewish Chaplain at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, and has held positions as Spiritual Leader, Cantorial Soloist and Jewish Educator. She received her Masters degree in Hebrew Letters, and her Rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College, where she won awards for Chaplaincy and for Outstanding Female Rabbinical Student. Her Rabbinic Thesis was an in-depth Talmudic study on dreams, prayer and the afterlife. Rabbi Barlev received her Clinical Pastoral Education training as a resident at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Spiritual Care Department. She is a member of the Steering Committee of The Kalsman Institute and IJSO at Hebrew Union College. Rabbi Barlev sits on the Ethics Committee of the Resnick Neuro Psychiatric Hospital at UCLA, and on the Professional Consultation Committee for Clinical Pastoral Education at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. She teaches and mentors rabbinic students, hospital volunteers, interfaith clergy, medical and other students in the UCLA Health Care System.
Rabbi Barlev consults privately with individuals and families. She draws on Jewish spiritual traditions and practices, and on the wisdom of ancient Jewish sacred texts to assist clients in navigating challenges and approaching wholeness. She is featured in the PBS documentary Where the Ocean Meets the Sky, which is a hopeful exploration of grief and loss, and the use of ritual in the healing process. She speaks on Jewish views of spirituality, and on finding personal meaning.
As Congregational Rabbi to SYVJC, Rabbi Barlev brings a wealth of rabbinic, musical and life experience. As a rabbinic leader, teacher and pastoral presence, she brings her vision of partnering with a sacred and caring community that learns Torah, prays and does acts of loving kindness. She welcomes those who seek shelter and Jewish growth. Like the Jewish ancestors, Abraham and Sara, she strives to create an open tent to welcome those who seek life there.
Meet our Rabbi...
The Rabbi's next
visit will be:
- March 2nd -
