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Galilee Diary: Remembering Amalek
Haman, according to the Scroll of Esther, was a member of the tribe of Amalek. Thus, we learn the consequences of disregarding the Torah commandment to wipe out the memory of Amalek - as long as they are allowed to continue to exist, they remain a threat, the enemy who for no rational reason constantly plots our destruction. And we read the above passage on the Shabbat before Purim every year,
Galilee Diary: Ivory Tower
By Marc Rosenstein
(Originally published in Galilee Diary and Ten Minutes of Torah)
Galilee Diary: Green thoughts II: My space
By Marc Rosenstein
(Originally published in Galilee Diary and Ten Minutes of Torah)
Galilee Diary: Green thoughts III: humility
By Marc Rosenstein
(Originally published in Galilee Diary and Ten Minutes of Torah)
Galilee Diary: Leaving the desert behind
We learn in chapter 5 of Joshua that while the generation of the Exodus had been circumcised in Egypt, their children and grandchildren born in the desert had not been. And since only the circumcised may eat of the Passover sacrifice, it seems that this ritual too was not maintained during the forty years in the desert. Anyway, we couldn't have eaten matzah in the desert as we had no grain - only manna.
Social Action Briefing - Recapping the Dialogue
Yesterday's Social Action Briefing was attended by people from all over the country! Thanks for joining in - but we know that many of you were unable to listen in, so we've got the audio available here! Check it out here:
Drumroll, Please! Our First Consultation Speaker Is...
March Madness? Indeed! Washington is buzzing with speculation about the speaker lineup at the 2009 Consultation on Conscience. It's THE place to be next month - especially for Jewish social justice activists!
The Remarkable Growth of Reform Judaism in Spain
I have been going to Spain every year since 2008 in order to help Bet Shalom in Barcelona, a small nascent Reform congregation, with its programs and religious services.
Visiting Rhode Island's Historic Synagogue
Stepping inside the Touro Synagogue feels a little bit like stepping inside an Old World Sephardic shul. There's a good reason for that: All of the oldest congregations in the New World were founded by Sephardic Jews, including this one.
Reflecting on the Status of Civil Liberties, 12 Years After 9/11
The events of that sunny, early fall morning required that we as a nation come face to face with our impulse to feel safe in our homes and protected from terrorism, while maintaining the foundational values found in our Constitution that safeguard basic liberties.