When You Make People Laugh, You Make People Listen
Today, comedy is a national vernacular, a social and cultural force. We communicate in memes. We look to late night to process the news. Good (and even dumb) comedy challenges and connects, activates and affirms.
Jewish Disability Advocacy Month: Building a Community for All
Jewish Disability Advocacy Month is an opportunity to participate in the work to achieve a more just world. On February 22, nonprofit and congressional leaders in the field of disability policy will discuss the state of disability rights policy.
A Victory Against Hate and Violence in Israel
For the first time in Israel’s history, a rabbi has been criminally convicted on charges of incitement to violence.
A New Film Focuses on the Plight of Ethiopian Jews Trying to Make Aliyah
In the 1980s and '90s, Israel committed to helping Ethiopian Jews make aliyah and become Israeli citizens. To this day, though, a small group of Jews remain in Ethiopia and have been unable to immigrate.
"Tour to the Wonderful": This Couple Drove Across America to Join Multiple Reform Synagogues
During a time when many feel so disconnected, Rabbi Jeff Glickman and Mindy Glickman of Temple Beth Hillel in South Windsor, CT, decided to take on a radical idea: Join as many Reform synagogues in America as possible.
A Jerusalem Love Story
It has been almost 50 years since I met my wife Judy in Jerusalem. She came into my life like the Sabbath queen about to enter the synagogue, with everyone rising and turning toward the door to welcome her in.
The Tent Revival Meeting That Changed My Life
One unforgettable event of my youth triggered a lifelong question: How could a religion that stressed universal love and God’s “Amazing Grace” vilify and demonize its spiritual and historic parent: my beloved Judaism?
Kabbalah, Tarot, and Delving into Mystical Judaism
Some Jews have extended their mystical journey into the world of tarot – like Heather Mendel, a Jewish mystic, author, artist, and speaker who has spent her life exploring this connection and has written extensively about it.
Labor of Love or Love of Labor?
For the first time, a Reform rabbi has a realistic chance to be elected to the Knesset. After the Labor primaries, Rabbi Gilad Kariv – who ran on the Labor ticket in past elections – rose to number four on the list, which puts him in real contention to be a Member of Knesset.
Complicated Shades of Grief: Mourning My Mother in Times of Trauma
In the weeks preceding her passing, her children and grandchildren continued to visit her, either in person or remotely via technology. She was surrounded by her children until the very end.