Suffering in Silence: Jews, Therapy, and the Stigma of Mental Illness
I was 20 when I learned that my first love had committed suicide. His death shattered me, both mentally and emotionally – but it also saved my life. You see, in the months leading up to his suicide, I had been planning my own.
How Reform Synagogues Welcomed Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum-Seekers This Sukkot
Congregations from coast to coast welcomed immigrants, asylum-seekers, and refugees to be guests in their sukkot and to share their stories. Here are a few reports from congregations that held these moving events.
Greene Family Camp and Temple Emanu-El Rally to Help Families Impacted by Dallas Tornadoes
On Sunday night, the Dallas/Fort Worth area was hit by severe thunderstorms, including multiple confirmed tornadoes, which devastated parts of Dallas and the surrounding communities and directly impacted members of the Jewish community.
What Noah and His Ark Taught Me about Being "Good Enough"
When we can’t be Moses or Esther or whomever we want to be like, it’s OK – it’s necessary, even – to be Noah. Being “good enough” may not have the same glamor as leading an entire people to the Promised Land, but do you know what being “good enough” accomplished? In Noah’s case, it meant being trusted by the Holy Blessed One to literally start the entire world from scratch.
How Blessing Our Pets Brought Holiness to Our Community
Several years ago, our synagogue held a “Blessing of the Animals” event, creating a sacred moment, not only for members, but also for the animals we care for and love.
It’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here are 3 key reasons we need to renew VAWA.
Thirty years ago, Congress first officially designated October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is Ending - but VAWA Has Yet to Be Renewed
Congress failed to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act in April. While the law itself remains intact, reauthorization has served as an essential mechanism for advocates to revise and improve the law as we learn more about how to address domestic violence.
8 Ways Our Congregation Demonstrates Its Love for Israel
Here are eight things one congregation does to engage with Israel. Your congregation can do them, too.