If Anne Frank Had a Gun
I am often asked why Jews went like sheep to the slaughter during the Holocaust. The question falsely assumes it was possible to resist, but Jews failed to do so.
Is quinoa kosher for Passover?
Quinoa, a grain-like crop grown in South America, is not one of the grains considered chametz (wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, or their derivatives). Some medieval Ashkenazi rabbis ruled that kitniyot (legumes) could not be eaten during Passover because they could be confused with chametz products. Some authorities consider quinoa to be kitniyot, while others do not.
Do Reform Jews Believe in the Messiah?
In the Jewish prayer book, the siddur, there are references to an “end of days”: the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt, the dead who were righteous will be resurrected, and a figure known as the Messiah, or in Hebrew the Moshiach, will restore Israel to new-found glory.
The Amidah of the High Holy Days - Sovereignty and Forgiveness
The Amidah for the High Holy Days features thematic additions for the Days of Awe. One significant addition on Rosh Hashanah is “M’loch” – a prayer that celebrates the coronation of God as the Ultimate Ruler.
The Music of the Rosh HaShanah Amidah
Each year as I prepare for the High Holy Days, I return to the familiar melodies that make up our Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services.
How Judaism Unraveled My Secular Security Blanket
Like Alice down a rabbit hole, I am naïve and curious and a little bit scared. But I’m also open to the possibilities of wonder and awe and putting my rational self aside so I can be free to imagine the unimaginable.
Smashing Bottles, Smashing Idols
Dr. Ruhama Weiss, a professor at the Reform seminary in Jerusalem, challenge our assumptions as she examines the intersection of ancient texts and human experience.
Remembering the Lessons of Two Different Ruths
Every year as Shavuot approaches, I think about my mother. That’s because her name was Ruth -- just like the book we Jews read on Shavuot.
Pride 2019: What Makes for Inclusive Communities?
During Pride Month, members of the URJ’s JewV’Nation Fellowship LGBTQIA+ Cohort talk about what makes them feel most welcome in Jewish spaces – and how our communities can do and be even better going forward.
Countdown to Summer: 8 Ways to Stay Connected with Your Congregation’s Youth, Teens, and Grads
While your youth may physically leave the building during the summer, the sense of community you’ve built all year long will stay with them as they venture across the globe. Here are some suggestions for how to stay connected this summer.