Orange Is the New Advocacy: An Interview with NFTY's President
NFTY President Jeremy Cronig explains why he's so passionate about ending gun violence.
Suicide Prevention and Awareness Is Our Communal Responsibility
Elul is upon us. The sound of the shofar reminds us that this silent epidemic must be addressed. Its cries echo those left in the depths of sorrow, feeling alone, believing that those who love them most would be better off without them. Our fear of mental illness must be replaced with a resolve to educate ourselves and others.
4 Ways NFTY Will Make a Big Impact in the Coming Year
NFTY recently convened its annual leadership retreat, Veida, to set priorities for the 2016-17 program year. Teen leaders representing all 19 regions came together to vigorously debate and brainstorm new types of programs, the role of teens in shaping peer experiences, and the social justice issues they would dedicate themselves to in the coming year – such as racial injustice, global climate change, and gun violence prevention. And, they elected the next NFTY North American board members who will begin their new roles this summer.
Meet the 2016-2017 Eisendrath Legislative Assistants
The beginning of the program year is always an exciting time at the RAC, as we begin a new cycle of tikkun olam work.
13 Jewish Stories about Moms for Mother’s Day
Ghetto: A Poem
Hiding Disability Changes the Story
Over the past few years, Americans have awakened to a pattern of police violence against civilians. The deaths of Treyvon Martin, Eric Gardner, Sandra Bland and others highlighted that this violence is disproportionately used against people of color.
No Disguises: Purim and Women’s Equality
Purim is a joyous holiday celebrating the story of the book of Esther and how she and her cousin Mordechai saved the Jewish community in Persia from persecution. I have fond memories of attending megillah readings at my synagogue and eating hamantaschen with my family.
Senate Approves Comprehensive Opioid Addiction Legislation
Last week, the Senate passed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA, S. 524) on a 94 to 1 vote.
The External War and the Internal War
This week's Torah portion is called Ki Teitzei — meaning literally, "When you go out." It is a reference to violence and war. "When you take the field [literally, "When you go out"] against your enemies, and the Eternal your God delivers them into your power and you take some of them captive ... " (Deuteronomy 21:10).
This sentence is but a tiny portion of more than a thousand verses in the Tanach that deal with war. Our Holy Scriptures came into history in a world in which fighting was a normal and often necessary activity. The ancient communities of the Middle East were governed according to tribal custom and law, and each ethnic community was in a combative relationship with its neighbor. There was no United Nations in those days, no European Union designed to administer diverse people according to collective rules and laws. Some tribal federations such as the twelve tribes of Israel pooled their resources, but that was for protection rather than for advancing peaceful relations with the rest of the world. The harsh social-economic and political reality of the ancient world often triggered violent and deadly conflicts between communities and peoples, and it is rare that we read a comment such as is found in Judges 3:11: " ... and the land had peace for forty years."