Growing Up is Hard to Do
My fiancée and I recently joined a congregation about a block from our home. We went to the new member Shabbat, were called by the rabbi, welcomed by members and Abby (my future bride) was called this morning to read an aliyah on Rosh HaShanah.
Thoughts From My First Selichot Service
I came to the 11 pm Selichot Service at Beth Emeth in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday night at the suggestion of Rabbi Grumbacher during Torah study. I came frankly, out of curiosity and to see if I could stay awake at that
The Immigration Stigma's Got to Go
Emily Schwartz is an intern at the Religious Action Center and a senior at The George Washington University.
In Israel, Fighting for Equality in Education
Education is the key to success. This axiom seems so intuitive that the idea of a major segment of a country’s population excluding itself from basic education seems ridiculous.
Opening the Door, at Passover and Always
There is a moment during the N'ilah service on Yom Kippur that stays with me, always. I want to say that it haunts me, but that's really not the right image. It's more a flooding, a rushing-out-and-rushing-in-at-the-exact-same-moment kind of thing.
The Torah In Haiku: Ki Tisa
This portion includes G-d's "Middot HaRachamim"* A prayer for Selichot*
Footsteps in History
As I hiked along the trail, I was amazed by the silence. There is something quietly powerful about walking in the steps of others. Who were these people? Where are they now? Are they happy? These people who knew hardships that I will never know.
An Aching Heart
{This piece is based on a sermon that I delivered in 2005. Never did I imagine that my own family would endure such pain. Today, my brother and sister-in-law are preparing to welcome and say goodbye to their own baby, whose life ended before taking a single breath.
Our Jewish Future is in Good Hands
This past Shabbat we read the Torah portion Ki Tisa. The Plaut commentary notes, “This part of Exodus deals with the Tabernacle and the service that will take place within,” including skilled artisans to complete the work.