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Dinah’s Legacy
Twenty years ago, as a fourth-year rabbinic student, I gave my senior sermon on Parashat Vayishlach. The sermon focused on the rape of Dinah and the prevalence of violence against women in modern times. As I had the opportunity to reflect on this parsha again, I started to consider what has changed since 2001 and what has stayed the same.
Showing Kindness
This week's Torah portion presents us with the matriarch of kindness, Rebecca. It is timely, as we celebrated World Kindness Day on November 13.
God’s Favorites
The Torah portion this week shows the effects of choosing one person over another. As a rabbi educator, I know that investing in every member of the community and ensuring they know they are valued contributes to our ability to thrive and grow.
Why Do We Exist?
We see glimpses of Rebecca's inner dialogue at the beginning and end of this week's Torah portion. In the opening verses of Parashah Tol'dot, Rebecca becomes pregnant with twins.
Cultivating Hope
The portion Vayeira (God appeared) provides us with several examples of how we can change our world. This portion contains pain and turmoil including infertility, destruction of an entire community, the abandonment of a young mother and her child, and a test of faith through child sacrifice.
On the Other Hand: Making Our Community Better for Everyone
This week, we close out the book of Leviticus with Parashat B’chukotai, and learn about the rewards of following the commandments.
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On the Other Hand: But, Who's Counting
In this week’s Torah portion, Parashat B'midbar, we're commanded to take a census of the “whole Israelite community.” Rabbi Rick Jacobs reflects on a new study from the Jews of Color Field Building Initiative, on what it means to include the “whole” community, including women and Je
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On the Other Hand: How to Be Generous
In Parashat Lech L’cha, Abraham shows what it means to be a Jewish leader of depth, courage, and generosity.
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Stories We Tell: When the Clocks Stop
In a town in Eastern Europe many years ago, all of the clocks mysteriously stopped working at the same time. The townspeople tried many different methods, but after years they still couldn’t get the clocks to work again. So, what happens when a clock expert visits the town? Listen to this story, retold by Rabbi Marc Katz, to find out.
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Wholly Jewish: Tani: We Need Inclusive Jewish Spaces
In this episode: Full of love and laughter, wisdom and wit, Tani Prell Epstein enchants us with her anecdotes and savvy perspectives on how to fully embrace and embody an inclusive Jewish world.
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