It's Elul: 6 Ways to Get Ready for the High Holidays
Avinu Malkeinu and the New Reform Machzor (Mishkan HaNefesh)
Many years ago, during the Yom Kippur morning service, a certain rabbi was interrupted (albeit politely) by the oldest member of the synagogue. He asked if he could ascend the bimah and ask the rabbi a question. How could the rabbi say no?
The Music of Avinu Malkeinu
In the game “Truth-or-Dare,” I choose “truth” nearly every time. I’m not much of a dare-taker. Thus, if you and I were playing “Special Edition Truth-or-Dare: High Holy Days,” I would confess that the prayer Avinu Malkeinu provides me with both my second-favorite liturgical moment and my second-greatest pet peeve of the year’s liturgy. (Note: Even though I may have to repent for it, I will leave you in suspense about my favorite liturgical moment and my greatest liturgical pet peeve. Also, “Special Edition Truth-or-Dare: High Holy Days” is fictional, although I hereby declare copyright in the event Mattel or Hasbro comes knocking at my door.)
The Shofar Service: Malchiyot, Zichronot, Shofarot
The blowing of the shofar is surely one of the high points of the Rosh Hashanah morning service. But the “Shofar Service” as the discrete entity we know today is actually a creation of Reform liturgists. Located at the end of the Torah service, before the Torah is returned to the ark, and including the three sections of Malchiyot (biblical verses dealing with God’s Sovereignty), Zichronot (biblical verses dealing with God’s Attentiveness), andShofarot (biblical verses dealing with the sounding of the Shofar), this is a synthesis of two different pieces of traditional liturgy
The New Reform Machzor and the Shofar Service
The traditional High Holy Day prayer book, as opposed to the Reform versions produced in the last century and more, includes a service, musaf, that evokes the ancient sacrifices. Reform Judaism abandoned this service, due to its musty connotations of “barbarian” rites but a key element of this service on Rosh Hashanah, the sounding of the shofar was maintained. Sounding of the shofar was retained no doubt because the very essence of Rosh Hashanah is bound up in the peal of the shofar. Can you imagine Rosh Hashanah without it
What I Learned at a Jewish Camp in France
At MahaNetzer Camp in the south of France, more than 150 campers and 40 staff celebrate their unique brand of Judaism every summer.
Stopping at a Jewish Camp on the Way from Uganda to Rabbinical School
When I returned to camp this summer, my whole Jewish self was back. I’m more confident now about who I am, knowing that the Reform Jewish world is the right place for me.
Why Tot Shabbat is Great for Kids – and the Whole Family
Tot Shabbat is important for our daughter and for us. Each week, it helps us integrate Judaism and its values into her life and build our own Jewish community.
How to Help Ensure Israel Offers Equality for All
https://www.nifcan.org/get-involved/naomi-chazan-fellowship/
Critiquing Israel was not something I ever felt was appropriate for me to do, but there had to be more to the story than I knew. I needed to learn the facts about Israel.
Finding the Beating Heart of Judaism: An Interview with Sarah Hurwitz
ReformJudaism.org caught up with Sarah Hurwitz, a former White House speechwriter, first for President Barack Obama and then for First Lady Michelle Obama.