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Rationale
Depth and meaning in Jewish learning is necessary to reduce the staggering rates of post-b’nei mitzvah dropout. We believe that a root cause of these challenges is the perception that b’nei mitzvah celebrations are like graduation ceremonies.
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Teaching Children about Asking Forgiveness (Slicha)
Spilled cereal? “Sorry!” Broken bongos? “Oops!” Overturned plant? “Sorry!” Stolen comic book? Accusations fly and tears fall as the cloud playhouse and Plony home confront the chaos of careless apologies and misplaced blame. A laser beam trap and giant basketball magically help Rafi and Ben learn that sometimes just saying sorry isn’t enough.
Shavuot Reexamined: How Can We Elevate the Holiday?
How can we reexamine this often-underlooked festival and apply it to our lives as Reform Jews? In this interview, Rabbi Matt Green of Congregation Beth Elohim (CBE) in Brooklyn, N.Y., talks a bit about what Shavuot means to him and how we, as Reform Jews, can apply it to our lives.
Why Pronouns Are so Important - And Why Using The Right Ones is so Jewish
Referring to individuals using their correct pronouns conveys respect and validation to everyone in our communities – part of the Jewish imperative to treat others’ the way we wish to be treated.
Microaggressions vs. Microaffirmations: Welcoming Others at the "Micro" Level
Perpetrators of microaggressions are often not even aware they’re committing them – but the result, nonetheless, is that individuals on the receiving end of these actions may feel unwelcome, alienated, or unsafe in the spaces where they belong.
My Child's Transition
One day, coming home from the temple where I served as rabbi, I spotted a bag from our local pharmacy on the kitchen counter. It was stapled shut, but the attached prescription for my 25-year-old daughter Laura announced its contents: testosterone. My worst fears were confirmed. I went to my bedroom and cried.
9 Ways to Jumpstart Your Jewish Learning
Whether you’re interested in conversion, studying with your partner, or just want to learn more about Judaism, taking an Introduction to Judaism course can be a transformative experience. If you’ve already signed up for an Introduction to Judaism course, congratulations on advancing your Jewish learning.
Introduction to Judaism Classes: What to Expect
Introduction to Judaism provides a forum to ask Jewish questions, learn basic Jewish vocabulary, gain intellectual and experiential knowledge of Judaism, and acquire skills to “do Jewish.” The curriculum includes Jewish holidays and life cycle ceremonies, Jewish beliefs and values, prayer and Jewish texts, the Holocaust, modern Israel, the American Jewish experience, and the diverse tapestry of the Jewish people today.