One Morning in a Mosque in America...
A Jewish teacher in an Islamic school, I shared a message from the local Jewish community. “We stand side by side with our Muslim brothers and sisters."
Providing Sanctuary for Immigrants Facing Deportation
Out of Destruction, Into Renewal: Reclaiming Tisha b’Av
This article was originally published on jewishjournal.com.
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.
Anne Frank, Elie Wiesel, and My Father
January 27, 2005 marked the 60th anniversary of the Red Army’s liberation of Auschwitz. On that same day, the U.N. declared International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
When It Comes to Anti-Semitism, Here's Why I'm Not Surprised
Yesterday, someone drew a swastika on the sign-box outside of Klau Library on the Cincinnati campus of the Reform seminary. I am outraged and sickened and saddened. But I am not speechless.
Why Jews Don’t Want to Make Judaism Great Again
It would be an error to believe that Judaism fits into the current wave of reactionary nostalgia. In fact, idealizing the past is plainly antithetical to a foundational principle of Judaism: that history is a progression.
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.
“Sing with Liberty,” a Prayer of Immigration and Welcoming
This prayer/song is based on “New Colossus,” the sonnet by Emma Lazarus appearing on a plaque inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Those familiar with the sonnet will recognize the images and phrases reflected here; it was written as an antidote to attempted hijackings of the message of the Lazarus poem.