Holidays Archives - My Personal Cantor

Interfaith Holiday Celebrations – My Thoughts

February 23, 2023December 13, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

I turned the calendar page. It’s December and that can only mean one thing. It’s holiday time. Personally, I love this time of year. Look around, people are smiling and making plans to spend time with their family and friends. I am no exception. That said, interfaith holiday celebrations, something many members of my community have, … Read more

High Holidays 5778 – Looking Back

February 23, 2023November 30, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Cantor Debbi High Holy Days South Florida 2017

Wow, has more than a month already gone by since we gathered as a community in the beautiful Miramar Cultural Center to celebrate the High Holidays 5778? I can’t believe it; but, it has. To be honest, September and October have flown by and, in my mind, are a combination of a blur of activity … Read more

Celebrating 7 Years

February 23, 2023September 20, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Shema Koleinu – 7 Magical Years 7. The number 7 carries tremendous significance in both the Bible and in numerology. 7 represents completion, rest, and an opportunity to review that which we created. Today, my heart soars as I celebrate #7 with my Shema Koleinu unaffiliated Jewish community in South Florida, with my father, Rabbi Steve, … Read more

Shavuot – My Personal Observance

February 23, 2023May 19, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

I am a teacher, a spiritual leader and steadfast believer in the values of faith. Maybe that is why Shavuot has always been special to me. Much less celebrated than the “big” holidays (Passover, Hanukkah, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), Shavuot falls at a time of year where, in America (and specifically South Florida) it seems to get over looked.

Getting Ready For Passover….Preparing (and understanding) Your Seder Plate

February 23, 2023March 18, 2017 by Debbi Ballard

Getting Ready for Passover – Preparing Your Seder Plate

Passover is one of the most symbolic of the Jewish holidays and the Seder plate is the centerpiece of our table. The Seder features the story of Exodus and at the heart of the Seder table is the Seder Plate.

Thanks is for Giving – Small Acts of Kindness

February 24, 2023November 17, 2010 by Debbi Ballard

I was reminded of this by a friend and colleague of mine, who has written (and is soon to be arriving in bookstores) a book called 1000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire, and Change your Life. I’ve always admired Linda for realizing that sometimes it is the small things that matter … Read more

Reflections on Passover

April 23, 2009 by Debbi Ballard

Passover with Cantor Debbi at Broken Sound Country Club

Well, with Passover behind me, I can finally breathe a bit, and settle back into writing. I have been so fortunate to do some great events lately, but Passover was stellar, and I’m so excited to have had the honor to return to Broken Sound for the 2nd year in a row. Once again, F&B … Read more

Passover 2009 – Broken Sound Country Club

April 1, 2009 by Debbi Ballard

I’m so excited to announce that I am returning to the Broken Sound Country Club, to lead their Passover Seders for the 2009 season. Last year was my first year, and it was so much fun. My friend, Cantor Jerry Cohn, had been leading their Seders for years, but had gotten ill, and recommended … Read more