RJ Blog

by Stacey Zisook Robinson there is not separation there is God whose spirit hovers like breath like life twined and waiting there is not beginning in this Beginning and no end to this earth that touches this heaven that laps at this sea that slips into this darkness that has no end that is ein sof

by Sophie Vener In synagogue seats around the world, Jews pray Nisim B’kol Yom, “the daily miracles.” The first line of the prayer, “Asher natan lsachvi binah lehavin bayn yom obayn lilah,” is translated in our prayer books as, ” You have implanted mind and instinct within every living being” – but the direct translation of this prayer is actually, “You give the rooster understanding between night and day.” What a difference! Do you think a Talmud-studying rebbe wrote this prayer? No! A farmer wrote it! The daily miracles prayer that we read once we have already had a cup [...]

I just had the privilege of traveling almost 12 hours from my suburban home in Princeton, N.J., to trek deep into the Rocky Mountains. I had been told that the last six miles of the journey would be on a narrow dirt road up the side of the mountain. I didn’t know that the dusty yellow school bus I was traveling in would have to halt, creep inch-by-inch in reverse, and perch itself precipitously on a ledge in order to allow a truck to squeeze by. That is when I felt the full magnitude of agreeing to be a “Kivun” [...]

by Amy ArielTwo of my 8th graders, Lana R. and Ruthie H., have commented several times in recent months that their favorite service was one we shared in the woods. Before they woke up, I created a mile long prayer path. Each stop was another prayer in the Shabbat morning service. They were asked by signs tied to the trees to listen to the woods with their eyes closed for seven breaths before chanting the Sh’ma to themselves, and at another spot to wait for one or two friends and sing Mi Chamochah together, standing between two sections of a [...]

by Brian Hertz(Originally Posted on the HUC-JIR blog)College Retreat on Jewish Eco-Friendly Lifestyle Why is it our responsibility as Jews to care for the environment? Why should I worry if the beef that I had for dinner came from a cow that was humanely raised? Last weekend, 11 college students from around the country gathered in Cincinnati, on the campus of Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUCinci), to explore these questions at the college’s annual Spring College Leadership Retreat. The theme for the weekend was “Going Green…burg: What Judaism Has to Say about Living an Eco-friendly Life.”

by Rabbi Paul Kipnes Up at the Union for Reform Judaism’s Camp Newman in Santa Rosa, California, nature itself has become the text from which to teach a whole Torah’s worth of Jewish lessons. Daily, the four hundred plus campers, counselors and rabbinic faculty study the myriad of religious sources to illuminate the religious truths hidden right before our eyes. Little did I realize when I received my “camp faculty marching orders” from a way too young but exceedingly creative visionary Rosh Eidah (unit head) Aaron Bandler that I would be blessed to witness some truly amazing moments of holiness. [...]