Beyond the revelry, is there a more serious side to observing Purim?
As joyous as the holiday is, it is also a time for serious reflection on the duties of a Jew toward their community, particularly in a post-Holocaust world.
What is a Sukkah?
A sukkah is a temporary, hut-like dwelling built during the holiday of Sukkot. (In fact, the word sukkot is the plural of sukkah.)
What People with Disabilities (and Their Families) Wish Their Rabbis Knew
As a Jewish professional dedicated to issues of disability inclusion and awareness, I’m all about solutions. When I read this article, I wanted to yell, “This is exactly the type of piece that must be required reading in our seminaries!”
Suffering in Silence: Jews, Therapy, and the Stigma of Mental Illness
I was 20 when I learned that my first love had committed suicide. His death shattered me, both mentally and emotionally – but it also saved my life. You see, in the months leading up to his suicide, I had been planning my own.
What Does It Really Mean to Be a "Jewish State"?
Our community’s strategic planning process, examining the implications of being a “traditional” community, has broader implications for Israel’s identity as a Jewish state.
Do You Work Here?: Volunteers as Consultants and Facilitators
There was a time when congregational leadership roles were clearly defined. Staff members served one role and volunteers served another. When an “expert” was needed, congregations either turned to outside consultants, or, if they were part of a denominational movement, they called the movement office to ask, “Who on your staff can work with our synagogue?”
Times have changed.
Introduction to Judaism: The Elephant in the Room
Like blindfolded people each attempting to describe an elephant from his or her perspective, it’s not always easy to describe what Judaism is, exactly.
Need a Break From the World? Israeli Reggae's a Great Escape
What do you do to process the relentless, overwhelming, often upsetting news these days? How about some Israeli reggae to overcome the news fatigue?
Tu BiShvat: Touchstones in Time
I love Tu BiShvat’s low-key preparation: no sermons, no sukkah, and no kitchen turned upside down. Quick trips for food and wine, and I’m all set.
My Spiritual Journey: From Jewish Ancestry to Jewish Commitment
Always a proud Israeli and Jew, I nonetheless felt something was missing in my life. Meeting religiously modern, dedicated Jews helped me see the missing piece.