Deportations of Central American Migrants Continue
In early January 2016, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal law enforcement agency charged with enforcing immigration law, conducted operations to round up, detain and deport 120 Central Americ
What Purim Can Teach Us about Anti-Semitism
Later this month, we will read and commemorate the story of Purim and celebrate Esther’s bravery with revelry and joy.
Purim 5776: Incorporating Social Justice into Your Celebrations
Without a doubt, Purim is one of my favorite Jewish holidays.
Why I'm Staying in the Room for Donald Trump's AIPAC Address
I will be in the arena today at AIPAC’s Policy Conference to hear Donald Trump and the other Presidential candidates who present at AIPAC. Here's why.
A New Community of Practice: Moving Social Justice to the Center of Synagogue Life
On an otherwise unremarkable Friday night in January, extra chairs were being set up as Reform Jews filled the sanctuary for Shabbat evening services at Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas, California. The room shone with the positive energy of a community engaged in a shared purpose.&nb
Lessons from Bad Segeberg after 80 Years
The faces in the photo that hangs in the new synagogue in Bad Segeberg haunt me. They seared themselves into my brain the first time I saw it, and they do not let go.
What were these 26 souls thinking when – in hiding – they celebrated Purim in 1936? Their eyes and their smiles betray fear, and their resolve to celebrate the festival with joy.
Out of Destruction, Into Renewal: Reclaiming Tisha b’Av
This article was originally published on jewishjournal.com.
Reform Movement Response To News That Donald Trump Will Speak At AIPAC Policy Conference
The Reform Jewish Movement has always worked very closely with AIPAC. We respect completely its decision to invite all the viable candidates for president to speak at its upcoming Policy Conference. By inviting the candidates to speak, AIPAC does not support or oppose their candidacies, nor does it condone or commend their policies. AIPAC has, as it must, a singular focus: the U.S./Israel relationship. AIPAC's intent – and its responsibility – is to better understand the candidates' views on issues that impact the U.S./Israel relationship.
Love Beyond Measure: Tishah B’Av, Tu B'Av, and Tel Aviv Pride
As a queer rabbinical student, I felt that recent comments by an Orthodox rabbi were inaccurate at best and, at worst, possible incitement to hatred or violence against LGBTQ+ Jews.
From Collective Memory to National Identity
A litany of laws. A multitude of mitzvot. According to Maimonides, Ki Teitzei contains 72 of the 613 commandments in the Torah — the most commandments in any one Torah portion. As the time for the Israelites’ transition into the Land draws ever nearer, God and Moses continue to prepare the people for sovereignty and self-government. In addition to laws that cover rules and regulations within the Israelite community, this portion also includes two passages that dictate the relationship between the people of Israel and neighboring entities.