Resolution on Protecting Individuals at Risk of Deportation from the United States
We are instructed in the Holiness Code to treat the strangers in our midst with justice and compassion: "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall do him no wrong. The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself for you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33).
Public Education
WHEREAS, the foundations of American democracy have been buttressed by the historic loyalty of the great body of our public school teachers, and our society has benefited greatly through our traditional practices of freedom of inquiry and thought in all the educational disciplines; Therefore, Be
Freedom of the Pulpit
WHEREAS, since the beginning of Jewish History, the teachers of our faith from the prophets of the Bible to the Rabbi today have regarded the precepts of Judaism as ideals which must be applied directly to the life of society
Seder plate
A plate that holds ritual foods used throughout the Pesach (Passover) seder. Each item on a seder plate is a symbol of the Exodus story and helps participants at the seder retell the story each year.
S’firat HaOmer
"Counting of the omer;" An omer is a biblical measurement of grain. The counting of the omer is 49-day period that begins on the second night of Passover during which each day is counted with a blessing. On the 50th day, the Festival of Shavuot is observed.
Tikkun Leil Shavuot
A celebration specific to the holiday of Shavuot, it includes a late-night – or even all-night – study of Torah and Jewish texts that commemorates receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Shalosh R’galim
“Three Pilgrimages.” The three Pilgrimage Festivals in biblical times: Pesach (Passover), Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Yachatz
“breaking.” A step of the Pesach (Passover) seder when a whole piece of matzah is broken in half. The larger half is set aside as the afikoman. Often younger participants are involved in a game of “find the afikoman.”
Z’man Matan Torateinu
Literally, “the time of the giving of our Torah.” This refers to the holiday of Shavuot.
Z’roa
Literally, “bone.” It is customary to place a shank bone on the seder plate as a reminder of the Passover sacrifice in Temple times.