Public Officials Need To Be Honest and Appear Honest
Parshiyot Vayak’heil and P’kudei each cover the many details of the building of the Tabernacle. But the first blueprint is found in Parashat T’rumah, when Moses receives the instructions for how to build the Tabernacle. Now, in Vayak’heil, construction finally begins, and we hear the instructions again. Then in P'kudei, where Moses gives an accounting, there’s still another itemization of every component used to build the Tabernacle.
Adding to the Fire of Prayer That Never Goes Out
Putting Prayers on Your Calendar Every Day
A few years ago I put a reminder on my Google Calendar for 12:30 p.m. every day to get up and do some part of Minchah, the afternoon service. ... I keep coming back to daily prayer as a source of the personal affirmation and renewal I need to serve as the leader I hope to be.In this week’s Torah portion, Tzav, Aaron and his sons, the priests of the Israelite community, are commanded to make their own daily, humble, personal sacrificial offerings as part of their regular work of Temple service.
How Can We Strengthen Ourselves If God Seems Hidden?
The Torah reading for this intermediate Shabbat of Passover, Chol HaMo-eid Pesach (Ex. 33:12-34:26), starts after the story of the Golden Calf. Moses, keenly aware of the failure in leadership that led to this disaster, reasonably asks for God’s help and direction. But then, he follows up with something truly extraordinary: Moses asks to actually see God, saying, "Oh, let me behold Your Presence!"
After Escaping with My Life, I Have More Questions Than Ever about Death
I wonder: Do souls see and remember? Are they aware of what goes on among the living? Do they have feelings? Are they close with God? Do they only see and connect with people they love? Does this connection last for eternity?
Coronavirus and Your Congregation: What to Consider, How to Prepare, and More
We want to take a moment to update you on what we know, what we’re doing, and what we suggest to congregations at this moment in time and going forward.
3 Jewish Ways to Commemorate International Women's Day
On March 8, we observe International Women’s Day (IWD), a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Israel's Election Results: What Happened and What's Next?
With Netanyahu still in power, issues of religious pluralism, equality, and civil marriage will likely take a backseat, leaving the power of the ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate firmly in place and leaving little hope for progressive change.
Join the RAC College Civic Engagement Campaign Network
We are living in an urgent time. As the plague of gun violence persists, immigrants are under attack, and climate change destroys our planet, the Reform movement’s work of bringing justice, unity, and compassion to the world becomes more necessary.
TRAP laws, just like King Ahaseurus, aim to further control female bodies
Rabbi Eliana Fischel, a rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation in Washington D.C., made the follow statements before the June Medical vs. Russo rally in front of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, March 4.