Being Honest with God and Myself
I took the Commandments seriously. However, one of the Commandments deeply resonated above all others: "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor," meaning "You shall not lie" (Exodus 20:13). This affected me most because I was lying to others and myself about a core aspect of my identity: my bisexuality.
A Message of Support
While we recognize that the deep conflict between Israelis and Palestinians will not be resolved over the summer, we believe that come the fall, college campuses must once again be safe for all students - and this includes Jewish students living their Jewish commitments openly and proudly.
B'midbar Haiku
Haiku based on the week's Torah portion.
You’re Invited to Remember
Growing up, I saw Yizkor as a mysterious event on Yom Kippur afternoon. The grownups would return to temple in the afternoon, while my sister and I stayed home. There was no explanation, just an understanding that this was a thing our parents and grandparents did, and we did not.
Five Jewish AAPI Movers and Shakers
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month as well as Jewish Heritage Month. Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and the Jewish people are all diverse cultural groups from many different nations and cultures.
Communities of Belonging Don’t Just Happen…URJ Camps are Putting in the Work
While camp is an oasis away from everyday life, it still exists in a world that has much work to do around harm prevention, particularly for Campers of Color, gender-diverse campers, campers with a variety of body sizes, and campers with disabilities.
Continuing Trauma, Ambiguous Commemoration, and Decisive Change: Israel’s National Days in 2024
When Yom HaZikaron arrives on the eve of May 11th - 219 days since the horrific events of October 7th - we expect to still be stuck in the limbo of this ongoing nightmare.
“We Were the Lucky Ones:” Bringing The Holocaust Out of History Books and Into Our Homes
Since 1945, there have been over 440 Holocaust-related films and miniseries, and that's not counting documentaries. Hulu offers the latest, a new limited series, "We Were the Lucky Ones."
Harnessing the Power of our Mothers Around the Seder Table
We have so much to learn from our mothers, past and present. Soon, we'll return to the story of Passover and to the narratives of three remarkable mothers whose determination, fearlessness, and love changed the course of biblical history.
Melding Tradition and Innovation: Our Interfaith Toddler Naming Ceremony
When I found out I was pregnant, my mind was immediately filled with questions and plans. When my son Logan was born at 34 weeks, many of those plans quickly changed.
