HaMakom is The Place

12/16/2025

Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.

08/26/2025

Friends, as we approach the Days of Awe, or prepare for our kids’ or our own return to school, or manage transitions in our families, or face whatever challenges lie before us, let us find comfort and strength in knowing we are not alone, and we can do hard things.

If “G!d” is not your jam, substitute “inner voice” or “universal knowledge” or whatever works for you. H/t Lior Nevo

Become! Become! Become! by John Roedel

Me: Hey God.

God: Hello.....

Me: I'm falling apart. Can you put me back together?

God: I would rather not.

Me: Why?

God: Because you aren't a puzzle.

Me: What about all of the pieces of my life that are falling down onto the ground?

God: Let them stay there for a while. They fell off for a reason. Take some time and decide if you need any of those pieces back.

Me: You don't understand! I'm breaking down!

God: No - you don't understand. You are breaking through. What you are feeling are just growing pains. You are shedding the things and the people in your life that are holding you back. You aren't falling apart. You are falling into place. Relax. Take some deep breaths and allow those things you don't need anymore to fall off of you. Quit holding onto the pieces that don't fit you anymore. Let them fall off. Let them go.

Me: Once I start doing that, what will be left of me?

God: Only the very best pieces of you.

Me: I'm scared of changing.

God: I keep telling you - YOU AREN'T CHANGING!! YOU ARE BECOMING!

Me: Becoming who?

God: Becoming who I created you to be! A person of light and love and charity and hope and courage and joy and mercy and grace and compassion. I made you for more than the shallow pieces you have decided to adorn yourself with that you cling to with such greed and fear. Let those things fall off of you. I love you! Don't change! ... Become! Become! Become who I made you to be. I'm going to keep telling you this until you remember it.

Me: There goes another piece.

God: Yep. Let it be.

Me: So ... I'm not broken?

God: Of course not! - but you are breaking like the dawn. It's a new day. Become!!!

05/18/2025

Another beautiful wedding couple, and another lovely ketubah by the always-flawless Micah Parker! A joy to also run into past congregants and a couple I married 4 years ago! Mazal tov!

05/17/2025

A gorgeous afternoon despite a dire forecast - mazal tov and happy wedding day to Alex and Michaela!

01/27/2025

For anyone who lost their ketubah in the recent wildfires, or any disaster, this generous artist will make you a new one for free

12/11/2024

Hanuka (Hanukkah, Chanukah, Chanukka or good ol’ חנוכה)
is coming!
Join us for our Shabbat Hanuka celebration on December 27 (more info to follow); meanwhile, some non-commercial ideas about how to celebrate each night

10/23/2024

TONIGHT at 7PM!
Join HaMakom is The Place, RabbiRobin Sparr, and the amazing leaders and members of Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley this evening as we celebrate Simchat Torah together!

Send a message to learn more

10/22/2024

As wedding season winds down, it was an honor and a delight to co-officiate for this beautiful couple. Mazal tov, Rachel and Sam!