A Waiting Psalm
In these days awaiting decisions on Prop 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act from the Supreme Court, I share this psalm I've written as we wait.
Why Americans Love Israel
A remarkable new survey was released just before President Obama’s visit to Israel. According to the poll, Americans heavily favor the Israelis over the Palestinians, 64 percent vs.
From Autism Awareness to Acceptance: It's Really About Tolerance!
On the one hand, I’m one of those people who think it is a little ridiculous that we have a “month” for virtually everything.
Suicide is Not Painless: Removing the Stumbling Blocks from Suicide Prevention
The shootings in Newtown broke my heart, coming as they did so close to shootings in Aurora and Oak Springs, and involving such innocent lives. However, as the healthy debate continues about gun violence, I have been triggered more by the preponderance of gun deaths that were suicides.
The Stone-Thrower, The Israel-Denier and Me
I sense the existence of one Am Yisrael – one Jewish people – on Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).
The Torah In Haiku: Sh'mini
Why observe kashrut?
Make a connection with G-d
Strive for holiness
After much detail about what animals may or may not be eaten, this week's portion concludes with these verses:
A Reform Jew-by-Choice Begins His Journey to the Rabbinate
I began my journey to Judaism nervously. Unlike the Charedim (ultra-Orthodox) who are anxious before the word of God, I was anxious in the uncertainty of the future.
Nothing is Given on a Silver Platter
History demonstrates that the events of the Holocaust served as an impetus for the creation of the state of Israel in 1948. For this reason, Israel’s civil calendar first acknowledges Yom HaShoah, which commemorates those whose lives were lost during the Holocaust.
Why Praying at the Western Wall Matters to Jewish Women
I had come to Israel to join my friend Anat Hoffman, who is one the leaders of the Women of the Wall. The previous month, there had been a random decree that as women were coming in, they were not allowed to wear their prayer shawls, their tallits. I’ve been wearing a prayer shawl since I would say the late '70s, a long time. And it’s just considered a regular part of my ritual in prayer. In 1968, the Orthodox rabbinic created a mechitza, which is a separation between men and women at the Western Wall. And the understanding here in a very traditionally observant manner, in an orthodox manner, is that men are obligated to pray. Women are not. The Orthodox have deemed this site to be a synagogue.
Out of the Box
The other morning I was getting ready for work and I heard the words, “The Jew in the Box” on the Today Show. My husband Shawn and I froze. What could this possibly mean?