Lech Lecha · Genesis 12:1–17:27

In this week’s Torah portion, Lech Lecha, God calls Abram to leave the familiar and go “to the land that I will show you.” The destination is not yet named. The journey begins before he can see where it will lead.

I’ve learned firsthand that we do not always get to choose the journeys that change our lives. We do get to choose how we engage with the journey, the steps we take, and how we care for one another along the way.

This week, as I mark what would have been my husband Andy Trattner’s 69th birthday, I’m thinking about the journey I unwillingly embarked on when Andy died. More than fifteen years after his death, I am still traveling a path I could never have imagined. Last year, I began another unwelcome journey when our daughter Samantha was diagnosed with stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer. The love Andy and I shared lives on… and sustains me on this new journey.

Going Forth

Abram’s departure begins a story that unfolds across generations. Along with the instruction to go comes the promise of blessing and the invitation to become a blessing.

Sometimes going forth means making a difficult decision. Sometimes it means being present, showing up for someone, or allowing another person the opportunity to help us on our journey. While we do not always get to choose the journeys that change our lives, we can still choose our attitude, and share what we bring with us: the love we have received, the wisdom we have gathered, and the relationships that sustain us.

These become part of how we move through the world. Even when the landscape changes unexpectedly, we can still journey towards wholeness and allow love to shape our journey.

Remembering Andy

Wednesday, October 21st, would have been Andy Trattner’s 69th birthday. Every year on his birthday and yahrzeit, I try to create a new commemoration—a way to honor his memory and make space for the love that continues to be part of my life.

On some level, it is still unimaginable that it has been more than fifteen years since he died. I so wish he were here to celebrate this birthday and to delight in our growing family.

Creating something in his memory is one of the ways I continue to say: “The love we shared shaped my life, and your loss profoundly impacted the way I show up in the world. I strive to continue making a difference in your honor. You are part of everything I create; your memory is an enduring source of strength, blessing and inspiration.”

If you knew Andy, I would love for you to share a memory of him. It is a gift to see someone you love through another person’s eyes.

Caring for the Generations

Remembering Andy also brings his mother, Norma, to mind. Norma died from ovarian cancer more than 40 years ago. She was not tested for BRCA mutations, so we do not know whether she carried one. Her history is nevertheless an important part of our family’s health story, and a meaningful reason to talk about genetic counseling.

Throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am sharing some of what I am learning as I accompany Sam on her cancer journey. This week, I want to encourage awareness of inherited cancer risk, particularly in the Ashkenazi Jewish community.

We all have BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which help repair damaged DNA. Certain harmful changes in these genes can increase the risk of breast, ovarian and other cancers. These inherited changes are much more common among people of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, and they can be passed down through either parent. About one in 40 people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent carries a harmful mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2. A father’s family history matters just as much as a mother’s.

A genetic counselor can help review family history, explain what testing can and cannot reveal, and guide decisions about whether testing is appropriate.

If you have questions about cancer in your family, consider bringing them to your healthcare provider or a genetic counselor. You can begin by gathering what you know: who had cancer, what kind, and approximately how old they were when diagnosed. It is okay if some of the details are missing.

Learning more about our family health history can be an act of love. We cannot know everything the future holds, but we can seek information that may help us care for ourselves and one another.

Learn more about BRCA gene changes and genetic counseling from the National Cancer Institute.

Illuminated Journey

Putting pen to paper is a strong path to connection for me. Creating art and liturgy also allows me to share what’s in my heart. My new book, Illuminated Journey, illustrates my creative process and brings together 54 Torah-inspired illuminations and prayers, including this week’s Lech Lecha offering.

Here’s my prayer for Parashat Lech L’cha.

Not Knowing

Source of All,
My heart is whispering directions
to a place I do not know,
and I’m afraid to go.

Guide me on my journey.
Help me realize
that it is not essential
to know precisely
where I am headed,
to set forth.

Strengthen my ability
to be comfortable with uncertainty,
and to stay calm even when
I cannot clearly see the path ahead.

Visual Midrash Class at Shir Chadash

My favorite part of the book is the section on Visual Midrash, and I’m delighted to share that I’ll be giving a class on Visual Midrash at the Shir Chadash! retreat next week. Shir Chadash! is an immersive gathering of music, creativity, learning, and community that brings together clergy, musicians, artists, educators, seekers, and lovers of Jewish music and the arts for shared song, creative exploration, spiritual connection, and renewal. They recently added a Zoom component for those who cannot attend in person, and I’m looking forward to seeing friends and connecting with colleagues and creative seekers!

Support Breast Cancer Research with Illuminated Journey

Through October 31st, the book is available for $44.99 with free shipping, and a portion of October sales will help support breast cancer research. I hope it will be a meaningful companion for your own journey—or a gift for someone you love.

Thank you for helping me share this project that means so much to me!

Explore Illuminated Journey and order your copy.

Guided Journaling Questions

Where are you being invited to take a step without knowing the whole path?

Whose love travels with you, and how does it shape the way you live?

What helps you feel supported when life is uncertain?

What would you like to learn about your family’s health history?

What is one practical act of care you can offer yourself or someone you love this week?

A Blessing for the Journey

May you feel accompanied
as you travel unfamiliar paths.

May the love you have received
continue to nourish and sustain you.

May you find courage to ask questions,
and people who help you seek answers.

May there be room for memory and possibility,
for moments of rest and unexpected joy.

May each step bring you closer
to connection, healing and hope.

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