Evolving Justice
I was recently called to jury service in Los Angeles. As imperfect as this complicated, human system of law may be, the jury selection made me proud to be an American, especially as the judge instructed the potential jurors about the meaning of “presumed innocent.”
NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg Addresses URJ North American Board of Trustees
All Aboard the Peace Train!
Now I’ve been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come,
And I believe it could be, something good has begun.
Words Not Spoken . . . Words Not Heard
Words are powerful. In Genesis, chapter one, God creates through words: “God said, ‘Let there be light!’—and there was light. . . . God said, ‘Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters,’. . . . God now said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image,’ ” (Genesis 1:3, 6, 26).
Reform Movement Condemns House Passage of Anti-Choice Bill
Weinstein: "The symbolism of the bill's House passage is indeed important, demonstrating the unfortunate reality that women's reproductive rights remain at risk."
Chazak, Chazak, V'nitchazeik
Here in the week of the Fourth of July, we come to the end of this year's reading of B'midbar with a double portion, Matot/Mas-ei.
The Challenge of Righteousness
The wording of the verse gives rise to this debate. The text states that “Noah was a righteous man,” but immediately follows with the phrase “in his generation, he was above reproach. . . ” All of us, including the ancient Rabbis, are left to wonder if Noah is exceptional or not, if his righteousness would be universally righteous or simply righteous in his time.
Reform Movement Urges Prime Minister Netanyahu to Suspend Plan for Negev Bedouin
Rabbi Saperstein: "Adopting the Begin Plan at this point is premature. It is clear that more research is necessary to investigate the possible consequences of this plan and its implementation."
Jewish Views on Civil Rights
No Rest(s) for the Wicked
According to the Rabbis, Balaam was one of seven non-Israelite prophets. (One list also includes Balaam's father, as well as Job and the four friends who came to "comfort" him.