What the Fourth of July Means for American Jews
I love the Fourth of July. I love the barbeques and the fireworks, the picnics and the parades. I love every silly red, white and blue minute of it. And on a deeper level, I love the chance to celebrate all that is good about this golden land, America.
The Torah In Haiku - Balak
Balaam is hired to curse Israel, but can only speak words of praise.
The Warnings of Pinchas, Our First Jewish Extremist
How can we read the story of Pinchas without thinking about the events that took place in Israel last week? How do we respond to the murder of four innocent teenagers?
Note from Israel: A Rabbi Reflects on a Difficult Week
It has been a difficult time in Israel. I have been here in Eretz Yisrael for more than a week now, arriving just before they found the bodies of Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali.
In Praise of Doubt: A Poem for "Adonai S'fatai Tiftach"
As a true Bat Yisrael, daughter of Israel, I find that I am never far from wrestling with my beliefs and with God. However, as much as I wrestle with my Judaism, I still feel a sense of wonder and joy and devotion.
And I Am a Lover of Peace
War is not holy.
It is made of blood
and fed by fear,
Ravenous and insatiable,
It devours the world
In pieces.
The Torah In Haiku: Pinchas
God speaks to Moses
You disobeyed at Kadesh
Your days are numbered
Moses speaks to God
I've got to pass the baton
Name a new leader
God speaks to Moses
I have just the man for you
Joshua's the one
The New York Met, the Death of Leon Klinghoffer, and Today’s Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
The Metropolitan Opera in New York recently made the controversial choice to produce John Adams' "The Death of Klinghoffer," an opera that deals with the murder of Jewish American
The Trip of a Lifetime: Why My Son is Staying in Israel
Years ago, before I had children, I sat in a meeting with a colleague who casually mentioned that her young son was not feeling well but was in good hands with his nanny, whom she completely trusted.
On a Day of Fasting, Remembering What We Share
Yesterday began the three-week period leading up to Tishah B’Av (August 4-5 this year), the darkest, saddest day on the Jewish calendar.