Like the Maccabee Brothers, We Can All Be Leaders
Our tradition tells of the great leader, Judah Maccabee. But what of his brothers? What do we know about them – the quiet leaders who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him?
Jewish Holidays
The Thread that Connects the Tree of Life Synagogue, Kristallnacht, and Tishah B’Av
In the year since the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA, I’ve been thinking about the antisemitic thread that runs through the tragedy.
Slaughter Does Not Honor Anyone: Remembering that Fateful Day in Pittsburgh
As I was leading Torah study at our synagogue nearly a year ago, an evil man murdered my friends and co-religionists because to him, Jews are strangers and dangerous.
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.
When You Just Don’t Feel Joyful on Simchat Torah, Remember...
With every seemingly worse piece of bad news littering our social media feeds and our news cycles and in the streets right before our very eyes, it’s fair to wonder: What if we simply can’t be happy, even when we’re commanded to? What if you just don’t feel like dancing?
The Torah of Voting - Even When Election Day Falls on a Jewish Holiday
In 2019, Canada’s federal election took place on October 21, the same time as the holidays of Sh’mini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The overlap offered an opportunity to consider the relationship between our civic rights and obligations and Torah.
A Plea for Equality and Peace in Israel in a Children’s Sukkot Song
One iconic, modern Hebrew song about Sukkot is far more than a simple holiday song for children.
Battling Perfection at the Start of the Jewish Year
The High Holidays remind us of our natural state of human imperfection. Let's remember, though, we are striving to be better, not perfect, in this New Year,
Canadian Thanksgiving: A Turkey in the Sukkah?
This year, Canadian Thanksgiving coincides with the Jewish harvest holiday of Sukkot on Monday October 14.
4 New Sukkah Blessings To Try This Year
Marking holidays looks very different for most of us this year - a perfect time to try something completely new. Though we might need to wait another year before gathering together with groups for a Sukkot meal, here are a few new ideas to try now.