Related Blog Posts on Advocacy, Civic Engagement, Racial Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (REDI) Communities of Belonging, Secular Holidays, Social Justice, and Tikkun Olam

Photo of the silhouette of 8 people walking in a straight line wearing backpacks

Supporting Immigrants and Refugees in This Challenging Moment

Welcoming the stranger, or immigrant, is a core part of Jewish tradition, mentioned 36 times in the Torah. We affirm our commitment to create the same opportunities for today's immigrants that were so valuable to our own community not so many years ago.
Photo of two kids sitting on a snow board surrounded by a lot of snow and trees

Winterfaith

Rachel Hall
"Winterfaith" seems a much more apt description for me than "interfaith." We're not observing two religions; I was raised Jewish, and my partner was not. The winter holidays are when our "interfaith" background proves to be the most challenging.
The author's Great-Great-Uncle Louie Sinykin posing with men in Dakota garb in South Dakota's Black Hills. Date unknown.

The Cost of Free Land

Rebecca Clarren
When I was a child growing up in the 1980s, the story I learned about Thanksgiving followed the classic script: it highlighted amity between the Pilgrims and their Indigenous neighbors. Due to this connection, the hunger of the European settlers was met with squash and turkey.
Photo of two people at Camp George on Canada Day

What Canada Day Means to Me

Corinne Krepel
I have always considered myself to be a Jewish Canadian, rather than a Canadian Jew. I couldn't tell you why I have always chosen to primarily identify by my religion first and then my citizenship; there is no defining moment in my life that explains that one way or the other. Being Jewish has always been my primary identity.
Photo of a group of people wearing masks, superhero shirts and holding up different superhero signs that says "smash," "boom," "krunch," and "kapow."

Extraordinary Ordinary Heroes

Rabbi Deborah Bodin Cohen
Simcha Blass, Helen Suzman, Eddie Jacobson, and Abby Stein all contributed to our world in different ways. Yet, they shared traits - commitment, integrity, resolve and an inner sense that they could make a difference.
Photo of blue and white keys on a computer keyboard that represent different disabilities

Supporting Colleagues with Disabilities

Stephanie Gertz
Each February, we observe Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month. Up to 25% of people live with a disability, which means many of your colleagues have visible or invisible disabilities.
a soldier standing next to an air field with planes behind him while holding a shofar

No, Thank *You* For Your Service

Rabbi Lawrence Freedman
It wasn't because of 9/11. It wasn't because I had a tradition of military service in my family. And while the pay and benefits are nice, it wasn't for those reasons, either. That wasn't why I joined the U.S. Air Force Reserves in 2003 and later switched to the Air National Guard. I joined for the same reason I became a rabbi: I have a desire to serve others and be part of something larger than myself.
an image of a diverse group of people of different genders, ages, and race in a group holding their hands out in the center on top of each other

Shavuot to Juneteenth: A Journey Toward Liberation

Tali Puterman
Temple Israel is engaged in a REDI culture shift, striving to be a synagogue that exemplifies our belief in b’tzelem Elohim (shared humanity) by creating a community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Our New Year’s party came from the idea that while this work can be challenging, it is a joy to lift up the diversity and unique lived experiences of those in our community. Following this theme of celebrating our diversity, we began planning our inaugural Shavuot to Juneteenth: A Journey Toward Liberation.