We often read Sarah’s laughter as doubt or disbelief. But perhaps there’s something deeper here. Sarah laughs because she has lived long enough to know what the world tells women they can and cannot do. She has internalized the limitations placed upon her. The impossible has been defined for her by biology, by society, by the way things have always been.

Yet God challenges Abraham: “Is anything too wondrous for the Eternal?” (Genesis 18:14) And within the year, Isaac—whose very name means “he will laugh”—is born. Sarah’s laughter transforms from skepticism to joy: “God has brought me laughter; everyone who hears will laugh with me” (Genesis 21:6).

This week, Virginia elected Abigail Spanberger as its first woman governor. Like Sarah, she has broken through what many considered an impossible barrier. For 246 years of Virginia’s history—from the founding of our nation through countless elections—the governor’s mansion had been occupied exclusively by men. “It has always been this way” is perhaps the most powerful argument against change, the kind of logic that makes us laugh at impossibility rather than possibility.

But Spanberger’s election reminds us that barriers exist not because they are natural or inevitable, but because they have not yet been broken. What seems impossible in one generation becomes the triumph we celebrate in the next.

Sarah’s story teaches us something crucial: the laughter of disbelief can become the laughter of celebration. When we dare to imagine beyond the constraints of “how things have always been,” we open ourselves to transformation. Sarah doesn’t just bear a child; she becomes the mother of nations. She doesn’t just defy biological odds; she reshapes the narrative of what women can accomplish in our tradition.

As we read Vayera this Shabbat, let us ask ourselves: What impossible things are we laughing at? What barriers do we assume are permanent simply because they have existed for so long? Where are we called to challenge the way things have always been?

Sarah’s laughter—and Spanberger’s victory—remind us that God’s question remains urgent: “Is anything too wondrous?” The answer, as our history repeatedly demonstrates, is no. Nothing is too wondrous when we have the courage to imagine new possibilities and the determination to make them real.

May we be inspired to break barriers, to laugh with joy rather than skepticism, and to create a world where the impossible becomes simply what we haven’t yet achieved.

The post Breaking Barriers: Sarah’s Laughter and New Possibilities first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

Mix the sugar in the hot water so that it melts. Make sure that it is not scalding hot when you put the yeast in or you will kill the yeast. You’ll know your yeast is good because when you set the yeast and water/sugar mixture aside, it will start to bubble! 

2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup honey (yes! 1/2 cup!)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon (or a little more) vanilla extract
Mix these all together. 

5 cups flour
Put oil, honey, eggs, and salt in a bowl and mix. Add two cups of flour to this mixture. After that is mixed, add the yeast/sugar/water mixture. (again, the yeast/sugar/water should be nice and bubbly! if it’s not, your yeast is not good, go get more)

Add the flour one cup at a time as you mix and start to knead. Depending on the weather and humidity, you will either need more or less flour. 

Knead it until it is in a nice ball, not too dry though.

Put the ball in a bowl that you have lightly oiled, cover and let sit for two hours, or double in size, or overnight if it’s Thursday. If you’re doing it overnight, I put some plastic wrap loosely over the bowl so air can still escape. Cover with your favorite towel. I use my gramma’s towel that is falling apart and only used for this purpose. It’s the “gramma spice” that I add. 

After the dough has risen, take it out of the bowl. Knead a little. Divide into either two, three, or even four challot. Then divide those into how ever many pieces you’re going to use to braid.

Put the braided dough on your cookie sheet, cover again, and let rise for one hour.

After one hour, pre-heat oven to 350. 

Brush the top of the challah with scrambled egg with a little water.

Bake from anywhere to 15-25 minutes, depends on size of the challah. If it starts too brown too quickly, loosely tent it with foil. When you knock on the challah and it sounds challah, it’s done! 

The post Rabbi Heidi’s Challah first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

Traditions provide a sense of stability and belonging, anchoring us through life’s changes. As Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof famously said, “Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as… as… as a fiddler on the roof!” And yet, traditions are not static—they grow and adapt as our families and lives change.

Sometimes, we need to gently remind those around us of the traditions that hold special meaning for us. Perhaps it’s a activity before the meal or that one relative’s recipe for cranberry sauce that must be on the table. Other times, we find ourselves embracing new traditions, whether born of necessity or the joy of expanding our family circle.

Family, after all, is not just the people we are related to by blood. It’s also the friends who show up when we need them, the people who bring us joy, and the community that makes us feel seen and loved. Each Thanksgiving table tells a unique story, reflecting the connections that sustain us throughout the year.

This season, let’s cherish the traditions that ground us while leaving room to create new ones. Try out a recipe from a friend, add a moment of mindfulness during the day, or invite someone new to your table. Traditions are at their best when they bring us closer to one another and remind us of the abundant blessings in our lives.

To our HaNefesh family, we wish you a happy, healthy, and meaningful Thanksgiving. May your day be filled with cherished memories, delicious food, and the excitement of blending the old with the new.

What’s a Thanksgiving tradition you’d like to share or create? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment here.

The post Expanding the Table of Thanksgiving Traditions first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

This week has been heavy, and the news keeps coming at us, each headline more overwhelming than the last. We’ve had time to mourn, to feel sad, to feel vulnerable. But now, it’s time to get up and remember: we have work to do—meaningful work, hard work.

Today, we spoke with Noe. If you haven’t met him yet, don’t worry; you’ll have a chance soon. When we asked if he was afraid, his response was inspiring. He said, “My momma didn’t cross no border for me to give up on this country!” Noe’s words are a powerful reminder: we can’t give up. So many of our families came here in search of freedom and opportunity—not just for themselves but for future generations. We are that next generation. Now, we’re the ones who must have hope and put in the hard work.

Last week, as the campaign came to a close, Vice President Kamala Harris shared a message with her staff, reminding them that while one race had ended, another was just beginning. The work continues, and we can’t afford to give up.

Hatikvah, Israel’s national anthem, written in 1886, tells us, “The hope of two thousand years” is alive in us. If hope could endure for centuries, we can carry it forward today. 

Now is our time to come together, to work hard and work smart. We can’t give up on the hope our families brought with them to this country. Our work won’t be easy, and it won’t be quick—but as a Jewish community, we know how to play the long game.

We’ve got this. And most important of all, we have hope. No one can take that from us.

The post Holding Onto Hope and Doing the Work first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

I am worried about reproductive rights, immigration, climate change, LGBTQ+ rights, and antisemitism. 

I feel like I am a trifecta of risk. I am particularly vulnerable as a woman, a lesbian, and a Jew. Each of these identities shapes my perspective, and I am alarmed that the threats and divisive rhetoric we’ve heard could materialize.

Women’s rights are at risk—from reproductive rights to the countless challenges women face in being seen as equals or being viewed as capable leaders.

As a married lesbian, I am concerned that the rights Jodi and I have could be threatened. Even though we live in California, where our rights as a married couple are now enshrined in the state constitution, I worry that federal actions could still undermine those protections.

I am also troubled by the growing rise of antisemitism and Christian Nationalism, ideologies with strong views against Jewish people and anyone outside their own religious circles. If you have time, please read this article for more context: What Christian Nationalism Has in Store for Jews and Other Religious Minorities.

With all of this anxiety—on these issues and more, including immigration—what do I do?

First, I allow myself to feel. I take time to mourn, to be angry, to feel scared, and to sit with my sadness. But after that, I must channel my energy into action. Being here for all of you is incredibly important to me. It means so much to know that you feel comfortable reaching out to share your fears, concerns, and questions about what’s next. I may not have all the answers, but I know this: we are in this together. We will take on the hard work of rebuilding our country into a place we can all respect and feel proud of.

This won’t be easy, and it won’t happen overnight. As the article shows, we didn’t reach this point quickly, and repairing the damage will require long-term effort. If, at any point, we find it’s truly too dangerous, then yes, we will need to consider a Plan B. But for now, our Plan A is to fight for the country our grandparents and great-grandparents envisioned—a place where dreams can come true. I want to believe that this dream is still possible.

So let’s take a deep breath, name our emotions, and find moments of comfort together as we face this journey ahead.

The post Feelings of Uncertainty and Fear first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

The post Help Maintain the Jewish People One Community At A Time first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

This eight episode mini-series tells the story not only focusing on the occupants of the attic but more so of those within Amsterdam and the surrounding countryside. National Geographic and Disney do an incredible job not only with historical accuracy but the attention to detail of the larger story.

The story of Anne Frank and her diary has always intrigued me. To live in an attic for two years without ever stepping foot outside, relying totally on the kindness of a few people bringing them food and news of the world, and the human perseverance to survive is awe inspiring. A Small Light presents us with Miep’s story and many who, throughout Amsterdam, risked their lives in order to protect and defend those of the Jewish community. Woven throughout the series is a sense of hope rather than despair. 

We are easily disturbed by the enormity of human loss, suffering, and destruction during the Holocaust as we should be; eleven million people, six million+ Jews were killed by the Nazis and compliant individuals. Yet there are many stories of human survival and respect for human life and dignity that give us hope. 

One of my favorite quotes from Anne Frank is this: “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”  Usually, we stop there, however, the rest of the quote is also important:  “I simply can’t build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness, I hear the ever approaching thunder, which will destroy us too, I can feel the sufferings of millions and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty too will end, and that peace and tranquility will return again.” 

Just as there were those who stood up and took action to defend the persecuted during the Holocaust, so too can we be inspired today to stand up for the oppressed and mistreated. We too see a wilderness in our world in which it seems there is a retreat rather than progress in regards to human care and compassion. Peace and tranquility will not come about just because; we have to pursue peace, we have to pursue justice, we have to pursue the fulfillment of every person being treated with respect, kindness and equality regardless of race, gender, religion, or identity. As the Jewish community, we know what it means to be persecuted, and therefore, as the Jewish community we are that much more compelled to fight for this pursuit of justice and equality for all people. If we do not pursue these values, then history has the power to repeat itself and we cannot afford to let that happen again to us or any people. 

A Small Light is a message of hope and a call to action. Please, take the time to watch this powerful series and let me know your thoughts.

The post A Small Light Can Be a Great Torch for Justice first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

Thank you for recognizing that yes, HaNefesh is a community that welcomes all, encouraging and celebrating everyone for being who they are. Yes, HaNefesh was founded by two lesbians, who are getting married next month. Yes, HaNefesh is made up of people from all backgrounds, different races, born Jewish, converted to Judaism and are tribe dwellers. HaNefesh is proud of each and every person and is grateful for the gifts they share with one another. In three short years, HaNefesh has built a community…a family, who would do anything we can for one another.

This weekend, HaNefesh and Jew By You were thrilled to have a booth at Orange County Pride which was attended by thousands of people who were not just LGBTQ+ but also allies. There were many who approached us and were grateful that we were there; that we shared the message that yes, you can be Jewish, connected to the Jewish community, and be LGBTQ+. That you can be you and have a safe, loving and accepting community…a family that loves you for being you.

So to the person who said that HaNefesh is the Gay/Lesbian congregation in Orange County as a way of hurting us and turning people away from us, thank you! Yes, HaNefesh is a community, a family who loves and accepts each person for who they are. We love being a part of each persons ‘becoming’ the best they can be because we know that each person is created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of God. Maybe some day all people will see the blessings in one another and share the beauty that each person brings to our world. And may HaNefesh always be a sanctuary for all.

The post A Note of Thanks first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

It’s Thursday and you all know what that means…Thursday night football! The 49ers are playing the Seahawks tonight and Jodi is wearing her 49er gear in preparation. So far, it has brought the team luck and it means we make sure to do laundry before each game!

Imagine being called Mr. Irrelevant! This is the name given each year to the player who is chosen last in the NFL Draft. Brock Purdy was this year’s Mr. Irrelevant and picked by the San Francisco 49ers. And while he dressed out and practiced with the team, he was so far down the list that he probably wondered if he was ever going to get a chance to get out on the field during a game. But this last week, Purdy had to suit up for his first start, prepare himself to know all the plays, and be ready to lead the 49ers against the great Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers! And with all the injuries to the 49er team and a rookie quarterback at the helm, the Buccaneers were predicted to win.

This was not the case! Yes, it was a shutout, but a shut out for the Buccaneers as the final score was 35-7 with Purdy taking the win with his team! Tom Brady approached Brock Purdy at the end of the game and gave him praise including to keep up the great work. This was great praise coming from a legendary quarterback to the newest one who was born four months before Brady was drafted into the NFL!

Chanukah starts this coming Sunday, December 18, and we are reminded that the Jews were the Mr. Irrelevant of the time. Who would have ever thought that this small rag-tag group of Maccabees led by Judah would ever have the strength and ability to defeat the mighty Syrian Greek army in 168 BCE? By their strength of spirit and might of determination, the Maccabees were nothing but Mr. Irrelevant and we celebrate the determination of spirit and the perseverance of the Jewish people who were not going to easily give up their Temple and their identity. 

Now it is time for each of us to also gather our own determination and commitment to never letting anyone call us irrelevant. With the rise of Antisemitism in our country, it is easy to try to blend in the background and hope no one takes notice that the Jewish people are here. One of the commandments of Chanukah is to not just light the Chanukiyah but to place it in our windows as a reminder to the world that we are here. No words or deeds can defeat the inner spirit we have as a community and we are also obligated to ensure the rights of all people to live in safety and without fear. 

As you get ready to light your Chanukiyah starting this Sunday, hopefully with HaNefesh each night at 6pm PT, remember, we are far from being irrelevant. All we do in our doing Jewish is very relevant and every person brings light to our world and our community because we are here and we are committed to ensuring our future for years to come.

The post We’re Far From Irrelevant! first appeared on Hanefeshoc.

Recipes!

There is so much you can do with olive oil, including baking. Here is the link to the Pasolivo recipes page.

The post HaNefesh Olive Oil Tasting first appeared on Hanefeshoc.