Growing up in Hebrew - in Manhattan
Max, my only grandchild, had his first birthday recently. He lives with his parents in Manhattan and – trust me on this – he is perfect in every way. Since he was born, his mother, my daughter Adina, has spoken to him only in Hebrew. (Her husband talks to Max primarily in English.)
Galilee Diary: Neighbors
From the top of the mountain I see him, from the hills I behold him; a people that dwells alone, not reckoning itself among the nations.
–Numbers 23:9
Let the #Torah Tweets Begin!
For a people with just one God, we Jews sure do a lot of counting.
Three patriarchs, four matriarchs, six days of creation, eight nights of Hanukkah, 12 tribes, 40 years in the desert, 70 years in a life - 80 if we’re really robust. You get the picture…
Attending Tikkun Leil Shavuot for the First Time
I have never attended a Tikkun Leil Shavuot, a community gathering to study Torah all night on the holiday of Shavuot. This year, that will all change! On the evening of May 14, I plan to attend an all-night (or most-of-the-night) study session for Shavuot at my synagogue.
Reliving Sinai: Shavuot and the Tradition of Confirmation in Reform Judaism
As we approach the Festival of Shavuot this coming week, tens of thousands of American Reform Jews will be fondly recalling a milestone moment in their own personal religious lives - their confirmation ceremonies.
A Suburban Problem With a Summer Camp Solution
My wife Robin and I have a suburban problem. We recently bought our first house, and it features both a formal living room, which I call the living room, and a “family room,” which I also keep referring to as the living room. It gets confusing.
Jewish Learning Never Ends!
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and my synagogue got a jump on it by celebrating a little early. On May 3rd, we honored our congregation’s nursery school and religious school teachers, whose hard work and dedication were acknowledged on the bimah.
Maimonides Preached Inclusion, But We Still Don't Get It
As concerned as we are about economic justice, the American Jewish community has failed to understand, on a gut level, a glaring reality: adults with disabilities in the U.S. disproportionately experience poverty.
From Generation to Generation
NFTY Missouri Valley Social Action Vice President Jackie Heymann reflects on her experiences at the Religious Action Center's Consultation on Conscience.