The Fragile Dialogue: New Voices of Liberal Zionism
Last month, Jews around the world woke up to the news that a group of Reform Jewish leaders in Jerusalem for the ordination of the 100th Israeli Reform rabbi was treated harshly by security guards as they carried Torah scrolls onto the plaza in front of the Kotel, the Western Wall of the Temple Mount.
Eternal Life
It’s hard to think of an author who more skillfully blends secular and religious themes than Dara Horn. Since the 2002 publication of her first novel, In the Image, she has emerged as one of the most important Jewish literary voices of the 21st century. Her stories often intertwine narratives from multiple time periods and involve historical figures and notable events. Her first novel since 2013, Eternal Life, takes its? time jumping into the realm of immortality novels.
Karl Marx: Philosophy and Revolution
Karl Marx! The name conjures up an intimidating bearded revolutionary intent on violently overthrowing society. Shlomo Avineri, professor emeritus of political science at the Hebrew University, shatters that conception in his superb new biography.
Defending Israel: The Story of My Relationship with My Most Challenging Client
In his new book, Defending Israel: The Story of My Relationship with My Most Challenging Client, Alan Dershowitz underscores his love affair with and his passionate defense of the world’s only Jewish state: “There was never a time that Israel was not part of my consciousness.”
The Most Unusual Seder I've Ever Attended
I’ve attended many seders in the U.S. and several other countries during my 60 years. Some have been memorable, and others have been, well, slightly less memorable, fusing into an abstract painting in my mind.
8 Principles that Drive Strong Congregations
All congregational leaders are looking for the magic formula to success, the one that will ensure that their members are happy, engaged, and Jewishly fulfilled, and that their budgets are balanced.
Orange Is the New Advocacy: An Interview with NFTY's President
NFTY President Jeremy Cronig explains why he's so passionate about ending gun violence.
Jewish Life in Cuba: Amidst the Poverty There is Richness
I recently traveled throughout Cuba with 16 congregants from Beth Emeth in Wilmington, DE. At each stop, as we engaged with the island’s history, its challenges, its people, and especially its Jewish communities, I was reminded of the story of Bonchi the Silent.
Galilee Diary: Spiritual Leadership
I thought, “I will not mention Him, no more will I speak in His name,” but [His word] was like a raging fire in my heart, shut up in my bones; I could not hold it in, I was helpless.
Jeremiah 20:9
Recently I attended the monthly meeting of the Council of Reform Rabbis in Israel (i.e., the Israeli CCAR, the professional association of North American Reform rabbis), where the main agenda item was the continuation of an ongoing discussion about whether individual rabbis – and the Council as a body – can or should take a public position regarding the Israel-Palestinian conflict and directions toward its resolution.
In a New Thriller, Age is No Barrier to a Survivor's Revenge
The 2015 film Remember, the Nazi revenge fantasy plays out within the familiar Hitchcockian confines of film noir by Canadian, Academy Award-nominated director Atom Egoyan.