On a frigid January day blanketed in snow, thirteen citizens stood hand-in-hand in Sherborn, Massachusetts, forming a human chain in front of a statue...

For over a decade, my husband and I have opened our home to foster children—17 young souls aged 3 to 17, each carrying their own stories etched in trauma. Despite the differences in their backgrounds and personalities, one thread unites them all: the deep impact of trauma, often invisible yet profoundly shaping their emotional worlds. Trauma in children can manifest in many ways—emotional turbulence, behavioral struggles, mistrust, and difficulty forming attachments. More than anything, these children need safety, stability, and grounding. But beyond meeting their basic needs, a vital part of their healing journey is learning to self-regulate emotions. This begins with what I call holding space—a practice of co-regulation, where patience, mindfulness, and empathy create...

Last fall, I found myself immersed in a world that many might overlook — the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, the largest gathering of its kind in the country. If you’ve never been, picture a kaleidoscope of colors, textures, and crafts, all centered around the humble wool fiber that so faithfully guards us against winter’s chill. Walking through the festival, it was impossible not to get lost in the vibrant sea of yarns, ranging from soft alpaca to rugged sheep wool, spun and dyed into every imaginable shade. Everywhere, artisans were at work: spinners turning raw fleece into threads, weavers creating intricate patterns, and knitters crafting beautiful, warm garments that you could...

There are moments in history when humanity must collectively pause, reflect, and recommit to our shared values. Today feels like one of those moments. This past Sunday, our congregation recalled Hands Across America, the 1986 initiative that brought over six million Americans together in a symbolic coast-to-coast embrace. The message then was clear: we are one people, united in hope despite our divisions. Nearly four decades later, the gesture resonates more deeply than ever—not as nostalgia, but as a wake-up call. Our nation is fraying at the seams. Not from lack of patriotism or principle, but from a slow erosion of empathy. When Law Becomes Violence News that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Marcelo Gomes Da Silva—a...