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Building a Sukkah That Stands for Justice

Tamara Upfal

Our Jewish story teaches that our collective safety depends on society protecting the rights of every individual. As we gather in our synagogues, under the canopy of the sukkah, and in early childhood centers, immigrants across the country are facing the

Empathy in Action: Becoming a Teen Mental Health First Aider

Tali Susman
Many of my friends struggle with anxiety and depression. I wanted to support them and guide them toward help. So, when I got an email about Teen Mental Health First Aid training as a next step after participating in the RAC's Teen Justice Fellowship last fall, I was intrigued.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a Human Right

Yolanda Savage-Narva
As we prepare to commemorate Juneteenth this year, we must pause and realize that we must constantly work to maintain our freedoms and liberties. If not for us, then in service to our descendants and their descendants.

Breathe Bravely

Tani Prell
This reflection on the theme of bravery explores the ways that the author's mixedness, Jewishness, and range of emotions are tied to what it means to her to be brave.

The Importance of Storytelling

Rabbi Maya Y. Glasser
The Jewish people love to share stories, as memory is a central Jewish value. We cannot forget what has happened to us because we must share it with future generations. The past is one of our best learning tools.

He’Brews, He’Leads

Ellie Rudee
Third-year Hebrew Union College-NYC student Jesse Epstein hopes to make Judaism more accessible, meaningful, and relevant for today’s Jewish community – through beer. He recently became the owner of Shmaltz Brewing Company, a beer-brewing brand aimed at providing community members with a mode and environment for consumption steeped in Jewish ethics, text, and tradition.

The Heroic Work of Repentance

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
This time of year, we hear again and again about how much emphasis Judaism places on the nuances of how to address harm of all kinds. I am convinced that the steps of repentance and repair outlined by the medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides make sense not only in our individual lives when we harm our coworkers, friends, family, and intimate partners, but also in reference to the communal, cultural, and national levels.

Awakening with Gratitude

Lee McPhillips Radlo
Judaism encourages us to awaken each day with thoughts of gratitude. I recite the Modeh Ani each day to thank the Divine for returning my soul. I was recently asked where our soul goes while we sleep. This poem is my response.