The Williams Record

Rabbi Seth Wax

All content by Rabbi Seth Wax
Chaplain’s Corner: Showing up for each other as we experience grief

Chaplain’s Corner: Showing up for each other as we experience grief

In this week's edition of Chaplain's Corner, the chaplains reflect on dealing with grief.
Chaplains’ Corner: On bypassing

Chaplains’ Corner: On bypassing

Rabbi Seth Wax November 8, 2023
In this week's edition of Chaplains' Corner, Rabbi Seth Wax implores us to confront our problems rather than avoid them.
Chaplains’ Corner: Reaffirming our need for compassion and care

Chaplains’ Corner: Reaffirming our need for compassion and care

Bridget Power, Seth Wax, Sidra Mahmood, and Valerie Bailey November 1, 2023
In an op-ed, the College's chaplains reaffirm their commitment to helping students through tough times.
Chaplains Corner: Integrating and reaching beyond

Chaplains’ Corner: Integrating and reaching beyond

Rabbi Seth Wax October 4, 2023
In this week's edition of the Chaplain's Corner, Rabbi Seth Wax talks about the rituals of Sukkot and how they may provide some guidance to students during midterms.
Chaplain’s Corner: Wearing the whirlwind

Chaplain’s Corner: Wearing the whirlwind

Rabbi Seth Wax March 8, 2023
In an op-ed, Jewish Chaplain Rabbi Seth Wax encourages us to look to the story of Purim to learn to take more risks.
Chaplains Corner: Being like the Earth

Chaplain’s Corner: Being like the Earth

Seth Wax February 15, 2023
In this week's Chaplain's Corner, Rabbi Seth Wax offers a vision of what students should seek to be in their relationships.
Chaplains’ Corner: Building connection to respond to the damage we cause

Chaplains’ Corner: Building connection to respond to the damage we cause

Rabbi Seth Wax November 9, 2022
In an op-ed, Rabbi Seth Wax reflects on the role of restoration and connection in combating bias.
Chaplains Corner: The value of spiritual direction in college

Chaplains’ Corner: The value of spiritual direction in college

Seth Wax April 27, 2022
In an op-ed, Rabbi Seth Wax reflects on his experiences with spiritual direction and the value of spiritual thinking in our lives.
Chaplains’ Corner: Reflections on the war in Ukraine and navigating a broken world

Chaplains’ Corner: Reflections on the war in Ukraine and navigating a broken world

Seth Wax March 9, 2022
In an op-ed, Rabbi Seth emphasizes the part each one of us has to play in response to global issues.
Chaplains’ Corner: Giving space for pain’s reverberations

Chaplains’ Corner: Giving space for pain’s reverberations

Seth Wax October 27, 2021
Rabbi Seth Wax reflects on how echoes, as imagined in Jewish mystical writing, offer us a way to better understand the pain of those around us.
Chaplains’ Corner: Bearing witness to our shared brokenness

Chaplains’ Corner: Bearing witness to our shared brokenness

Seth Wax September 22, 2021
Rabbi Seth Wax, reflecting on a story told of Reb Moshe Sassov, suggests that opening up about our imperfect experiences can help us collectively heal and return to the sense of unity we lost as a result of the pandemic.
Chaplains’ Corner: Finding your inspiration as we head into finals

Chaplains’ Corner: Finding your inspiration as we head into finals

Seth Wax May 5, 2021
In the spring semester’s second Chaplains’ Corner piece, Rabbi Seth Wax aims to show students how an inspirational lesson from Jewish mysticism can be applied towards overcoming the stress that typically accompanies the finals season.
Chaplains’ Corner: Listening to the cries of the world and of ourselves

Chaplains’ Corner: Listening to the cries of the world and of ourselves

Seth Wax September 23, 2020

This essay is adapted from Rabbi Seth’s remarks at the start of Rosh Hashanah services on Friday, September 18, 2020, which marked the beginning of the Jewish new year. A story is told of a king...

Letter to the Editor: Chaplains speak to WPD allegations

Letter to the Editor: Chaplains speak to WPD allegations

Valerie Bailey, Sharif Rosen, and Seth Wax August 22, 2020
As individuals who live and work in Williamstown, and especially as students and teachers of faith traditions that uphold the dignity of each person, we are appalled by the recent allegations of racial and sexual misconduct by the leadership of the Williamstown Police Department.
Chaplains’ Corner: The obstacles are the path

Chaplains’ Corner: The obstacles are the path

Seth Wax May 23, 2020

When you tell the story of your life and experience at Williams College, of what you did and how you grew during your time here, what will you include and what will you leave out? Do you talk about...

Chaplains’ Corner: It isn’t enough, but we can still find something to be grateful for

Chaplains’ Corner: It isn’t enough, but we can still find something to be grateful for

Seth Wax April 8, 2020
After three weeks of being inside the house with my 3-year-old daughter while campus has been closed, I can say I’ve accomplished at least one thing: I’ve taught her to sing the Passover Seder song “Dayeinu.”
Chaplains Corner

Chaplains’ Corner

Seth Wax February 12, 2020

Late last week, Judge Roy Moore, current and former US Senate candidate and former Alabama state Supreme Court justice, announced that his “Ten Commandments Monument” would be placed on the first...

Chaplain’s Corner: Rabbi Seth Wax

Chaplain’s Corner: Rabbi Seth Wax

Seth Wax October 9, 2019

As you walk around campus today, you may notice some of your Jewish-identified friends walking around in a bit of a daze. They may respond to your questions a bit slower, and they might seem distracted....

Chaplains Corner

Chaplain’s Corner

Valerie Bailey, Sharif Rosen, and Seth Wax September 11, 2019

Welcome to the Chaplains’ Office column! We will be writing twice a month, offering reflections on spiritual themes that are inspired through our respective faith journeys and our engagement with thoughts...

Load More Stories