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My Personal Cantor

Where is God in Tragedy…How to find God in Our Darkest Hours

find God

Finding God in the most tragic events   I was in hell. As a Spiritual Leader in the Jewish community in South Florida, I went into crisis mode when news struck of last week’s tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL.  I immediately began checking in with all of MY PERSONAL families, … Read more

High Holidays 5778 – Looking Back

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

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

Facing your fears and the hero of Passover

Facing fears and the hero of Passover

Who do you think was the hero of Passover? I bet you anything you’ll say Moses, right off the bat, right? Well, it’s important to know the story of Passover and dig a little deeper, so I’m going to share my personal thoughts on a great Passover hero, Nachshon. I’m not saying Moses wasn’t a … Read more

On Losing Life Before It’s Time

when death and mourning come too soon

It’s so hard to comprehend death.. The hardest part about my job is when a young person asks me why G-d had to “take” someone so young, when it clearly wasn’t “time” for them to go yet. Today, I’m stricken with grief over 2 young FSU students who lost their lives heading back to school … Read more

Another great-full year, welcome 5776!

Shema Koleinu with Cantor Debbi

I haven’t even begun to process the last 10 days, but I simply must express my heartfelt joy and appreciation for those who helped make it the most successful HiHo ever. Although I am completely exhausted, today, my heart is soaring. First and foremost – thanks go out to my Dad, Rabbi Stephen Spiegel, who gave … Read more

It’s Official! Shema Koleinu announces High Holiday Worship Services 5772!

 High Holiday Worship Services with Cantor Debbi Ballard Begin for the first time 7 years ago, I performed my first wedding.  6 years ago, I performed my first Bat Mitzvah.  Today, I am so proud to announce the official launch of “Shema Koleinu“, our non-profit synagogue-like organization that provides outreach to South Florida’s Jewish and … Read more

Unaffiliated Lifecycles? One Cantor’s view…

I just came across a well-written post by a Reform Rabbi in Washington, DC, in response to the recent NYT article that seems to be hitting a lot of nerves around the world.  While I recognize that some of my colleagues provide this as a fast track, meaningless way to substantiate a monstrous party – … Read more