With Soldiers by our Side
Our Kesher Birthright Israel trip was almost to the halfway point when we were joined by a group of Israeli soldiers who stayed with us. They were only with us for half of our trip – but in many ways, it was the most meaningful half.
Instant Replay vs. Real Life
A Major League Baseball committee proposed new rules last month for using instant replay to correct the mistakes of umpires – and I’ve been thinking about how much easier things would be if we could just apply those rules to everyday life.
Hey, Cantor! An Elul Q&A with Cantor Mary Rebecca Thomas
We asked clergy across North America which music, books, art, movies and more help them get into a reflective state of mind as they gear up for the High Holidays.
Sukkot and Chocolate: Delicious Ideas for Each Night of the Holiday
This year make room for chocolate in your Sukkot celebration.
Galilee Diary: Sharing the Burden
The officials shall…address the troops and say: "Is there anyone afraid and disheartened? Let him go back to his home, lest the courage of his comrades flag like his."
Akeidah: Abraham Failed God's Test, but God Loved Him Anyway
Each Rosh HaShanah, we read the horrid tale of the
Anat Hoffman is Haaretz's Person of the Year
Anat Hoffman, director of the Israel Religious Action Center and chair of Women of the Wall, was today named Haaretz.com's "Person of the Year." Haaretz reports that Anat, who was up against five others for the title, recieved m
Galilee Diary: Attunement
Sure enough, last week I saw the first chatzav flower of the season – which was actually sort of surprising, as it's been several years since the last leap year, so the holidays are "early" in the solar year this year.
Seventeen Rabbis Travel to India to Prepare for the Days of Awe
Most rabbis spend the summer months preparing for the High Holydays. This summer, my High Holiday preparation included travelling to Lucknow, India, with 16 rabbis representing Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and Renewal Jewish communities across America.
Why Children's Services Appeal to Me, Even When I Go Without Children
Say what you will, but I prefer the Rosh HaShanah children's service to the adult one. It's a little under an hour, and it's lighter on the lengthy recitations of the full evening service.