Displaying 1 - 10 of 17
I’m a Jew-by-choice. Can we plan to name our baby after a living relative who is not Jewish?
In Ashkenazic practice (Jews of Eastern European origin), the custom is to name a child after a relative who has died, while Sephardim (Jews of Spanish and Middle Eastern origin) tend to name their children after living relatives. Reform practice allows either option.
Is there a Jewish holiday that highlights love?
A little-known holiday is Tu B'Av, a day marked by dancing and courtship.
Wholly Jewish: Grace: Breaking Down the Gates of Queer Judaism
Being queer and Jewish means something different to everyone, and those differences deserve to be celebrated. This week, Grace Collins (they/them) talks about being a Jewish storyteller and teacher; their connection, as a Jew-by-choice, to Rabbi Akiva’s teachings;, repairing the world in an oppressive political climate; and the dangers of “gatekeeping” in queer and Jewish spaces.
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Wholly Jewish: Dara: From Parliament to the Bimah
Hosted by Jewish performance and ritual artist Shira Kline (she/her), a.k.a. ShirLaLa, this season features interviews with LGBTQIA+ Jews from the Union for Reform Judaism's JewV'Nation Fellowship.
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What’s the Difference Between the Secular and Jewish New Year?
While there are significant differences between how we usher in and observe the secular and Jewish New Year, both are times of transition that offer us an opportunity for self-reflection. Here are the key differences.
What is the Jewish expression to refer to someone who has died?
In Judaism, when someone has died, it is customary to add the expression, “May their memory be for a blessing” after mentioning the deceased by name.
Wholly Jewish: Noa: The Beauty of Taking Up Space
On the season finale of Wholly Jewish season 2, we are joined by NYU student and college organizer Noa Baron (they/them). Noa shares the personal and Jewish and significance of their name (and their Jewish name-changing ceremony), the importance of deep listening to the queer community, their aspirations as a trans Jewish leader, and the beauty LGBTQ+ Jews bring to the Jewish community.
Stories We Tell: The Miser's Slippers
Once, there was a family who had quite a bit of money. They were always warm and well fed, and often bought toys for their children and gifts for each other. But, when the rabbi would come by and ask if they could give to support those in the community who were not always warm and could not always afford food, they would say no. Why not, and what would it take for them to start giving? Rabbi Leora Kaye, Director of Program at the Union for Reform Judaism, retells the story. You can read a written version of this story, titled “How It Feels to Be Poor,” in The Essential Jewish Stories, collected, annotated, and retold by Seymour Rossel.
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Stories We Tell: The Samovar
Rivka is preparing for Yom Kippur when she gets an unexpected visitor. It’s a stranger, who asks her to keep her samovar (a silver pot used for making tea) while she goes on a trip. Rivka agrees, and as soon as the woman leaves, curious things start to happen. How could a tea pot completely change Rivka’s life? Rabbi Mark Kaiserman retells the story. For a written version of this story, read Gabriel's Horn by Eric Kimmel, available from PJ Library.
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Stories We Tell: Where is Your Target?
The prince goes to study with a master archer to become the best in the land. When he finishes his studies and heads back home, he stops at an inn and sees a barn covered with arrows stuck perfectly in the middle of targets, clearly the work of another excellent archer. The prince sets out to find this archer—who are they and how do they do it? Rabbi Leora Kaye retells the story. For a written version, see The Perfect Story in The Essential Jewish Stories, collected, annotated, and retold by Seymour Rossel.
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