Welcoming by Example
In the Book of Leviticus, God commands the Jewish people, “v’ahavta l’reacha kamocha,” “love your neighbor as yourself.” Based on this teaching, I stand by the idea that, if an individual comes seeking refuge from his or her home country because he or she is prosecuted or marginalized fo
What Loving a Wild Turkey Taught Us about Ourselves
We weren’t surprised when a small flock of wild turkeys showed up at camp. After all, Wisconsin is one of the top five states for wild turkeys! Though he is sorely missed, here are some lessons we learned from Felix’s time with us, and the legacy he has left behind.
Victories for Voting Rights in Wisconsin and Texas
Earlier this month, voting rights advocates won two important, if partial, victories in court cases challenging the constitutionality of voter ID laws in Wisconsin and Texas.
Going for Gold, Hearts and Minds: First Refugee Team at Rio Olympics
“Having no flag to march behind, having no national anthem to be played, these refugee athletes will be welcomed to the Olympic games” (Thomas Bach, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President).
Marching with Pride in Jerusalem
Across the world, pride parades are often more than a celebration of the LGBT community; they can be acts of solidarity in the face of discrimination and fear.
It's on Us to Fix What's Broken: Reflections on Racial Justice
This is an excerpt from a sermon delivered on July 15, 2016. Read the full sermon here.
My Son May Be Sheltered Now, But That Won’t Last Forever
For better or for worse, my son doesn’t yet know how scary this world can be – and I’m not eager to break it to him.
How My Uncle, a Painter, Inspired My American Jewish Dream
In the 1920s and 1930s, Jennings Tofel was a part of a group of talented men and women who formed an enclave within American art, a sort of equivalent to the Ecole Juive in Paris. These immigrants brought with them from the old country the Yiddish language, Jewish legend and lore, and art. Uncle Jennings was one of the best-known among this group of unknowns (the Whitney Museum of American Art purchased one of his pictures in 1932), and he became a protégé of American photographer Alfred Stieglitz.
How Jewish Communities Can Help One Another After a Suicide
Adolescent suicide is on the rise in the United States, and data indicates that suicide is a communicable disease, with one spurring others. No community is exempt: Suicide impacts our congregations, our clergy, and our camps.
What It Was Like When Abortion Was a Crime
As the abortion issue continues to divide the United States, I think back to 1968, when I was active in the Clergy Consultation Service, an underground group of Protestant ministers and rabbis dedicated to helping women in need of abortion counseling. Many years later, I still vividly remember the story of one young woman who sought my help.