Dr. Madelyn Mishkin Katz

Dr. Madelyn Mishkin Katz is associate dean at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Jack H. Skirball Campus in Los Angeles, CA.

The Gift of Suffering

Dr. Madelyn Mishkin Katz

In February 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now that my treatment is over, I search for the meaning in the most traumatic experience of my life.

The Courage to Be a Reform Jew

Dr. Madelyn Mishkin Katz

I must be honest. Purim is not my favorite holiday. Truth is, I was never a big costume person. Probably a therapist’s delight!

Nonetheless, I was a “good” mom and put aside my own mishagas (craziness) and helped my daughters with Purim costumes and parades so that we made it through enough years dressing up as characters from the story. However, it wasn't too long before they both expressed a similar “love” for costumes and parades and so Purim became a minor holiday in our house.

Silent Disabilities: How Supportive Are We?

Dr. Madelyn Mishkin Katz

Jewish Disability Awareness Month is a powerful reminder that we are all created b'tzelem Elohim (in God's Image). We must keep all disabilities in mind, especially those that are "silent." Mental health disease is very prevalent in the Jewish community, yet