Book Release: And God Spoke These Words: The Ten Commandments and Contemporary Ethics by Rabbi Rifat Sonsino
March 3, 2014, New York, NY -- Rabbi Rifat Sonsino has helped thousands of readers find God, and uncover the truths and legends behind the foundational myths of Judaism. Now, his new book by URJ Press explores one of the best known--and least understood--texts in the Bible: the Ten Commandments.
Six Jewish Teens to Watch: North American Reform Jewish Youth Movement Elects New Board
March 20, 2014, New York, NY --- NFTY, the Reform youth movement, has elected an extraordinary team of leaders for its 75th anniversary year.
Christian and Jewish Leaders Achieve Breakthrough, Resuming Dialogue and Engagement
New York, NY, March 27 – The heads of Jewish and Christian organizations and denominations met in an unprecedented summit in New York City today to discuss strategies to strengthen and maintain relationships even in the face of significant disagreements.
Reform Leaders Weigh in on Hobby Lobby, Conestoga Cases at Supreme Court
Rabbis Jacobs, Fox, Feldman, and Saperstein: "We believe that all women must have the right to make their own health care choices according to their faith and conscience - including when it comes to reproductive health."
Saperstein Condemns Anti-Semitism Against Ukrainian Jewry
Contact: Sean Thibault or Deborah Goldberg
news@rac.org | (202) 387-2800
Reform Jewish Movement Commends EPA on Clean Fuel and Vehicle Standards
Barbara Weinstein: "Our Reform Jewish values call on us to be stewards of the Earth, not just for our own benefit but also for the well-being of the generations that will succeed us.
Learning from a Sandwich
This week's parashah, Sh'mini, consists of three distinct parts that do not appear, on the surface, to relate directly to one to another. Let's begin by looking at a summary of each of these parts.
Annoying “Un-Understanding”
What a difficult portion Tazria is! It looks at issues of purity; birth; and illness of men and women, fabric and skin. Even without touching on leprosy (or whatever skin disease it is) there's plenty to discuss in this parashah!
Maybe We’re Really Not Talking About Skin Diseases
M'tzora, the name of this week's parashah, refers to a person or a house afflicted with a skin condition called tzaraat. Often mistranslated as "leprosy," tzaraat is something totally different than what we, today, call leprosy.
Stretching to Make Sense (And Not Fully Succeeding)
This week's Torah portion, Acharei Mot, "After the death" [of two of Aaron's sons], continues the focus on ritual purity that began earlier in Leviticus, and begins the section of the book known as the Holiness Code.