How My Texas Congregation Led the Way to Support Immigrant Families
Our congregation in McAllen, TX, is the go-to congregation for donations in support of immigrant families; the response from the Reform Jewish community has been amazing.
Fighting antisemitism with a fair criminal justice system in New York
Joy Friedman made the following remarks at a rally to support bail reform in New York.
I am Joy Friedman, the Director of Organizing for the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. I am a New Yorker and a Reform Jew myself.
8 Pieces of Good News About Israel
What Elie Wiesel Can Teach Us about Immigration Justice Today
Editor's Note: On November 19, Reform Jews met outside of an immigration court in San Antonio, TX, to protest the administration’s unjust “Remain in Mexico” policy and its attacks on immigrants and the asylum process. Rabbi Mara S.
We Have a Moral Duty to Welcome the Stranger
Why We Must be Like Abraham and Speak Truth to Power
It is no secret that social action is a central maxim of Judaism.
Trouble at the Borders — and Within
This post is adapted from a sermon given at Temple Sinai in Washington, DC on Friday, June 29, 2018.
What It Takes to Fulfill the Promise
There is a section of Parashat Va-eira that might sound familiar to those who have experienced a Passover seder: It's a list of five promises God makes to the Children of Israel: I will free you..., and deliver you...; I will redeem you...; I will take you to be My people; and , I will bring you into the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... (Ex. 6:6-8).
Identity and Ethics: Knowing Who and Whose You Are
If someone tells you that Judaism is X or Y, you should never believe them. Judaism is such a complex civilization — it is made up of religion and culture, language and land, and a particular kind of peoplehood. ... The Israelites’ preparations both to enter the Land and to create an ideal society are central motifs of Deuteronomy, and a particular focus of the extensive Parashat R’eih.
Accepting Advice From Your Father-in-Law
This week’s Torah portion, Parashat Yitro, is remarkable. Only six Torah portions (out of a total of 54) are named for one of the individuals advancing the drama within its text. ... And this portion is named for Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro (Yitro) — a non-Israelite, Midianite priest. In the portion, Yitro offers sage advice and Moses accepts it.