Jewish Holidays
This week’s Torah portion, Vayigash, is often read in terms of reconciliation and reunification: Joseph forgives his brothers for selling him into slavery, Jacob learns his favorite son is alive, a family comes together. All in all, a nice, clean happy ending. It turns out, however, that there is much more action happening in the background and, through some research, I happened upon the intriguing story of Serah. Step-daughter of Asher, one of Jacob’s 12 sons, Serah is mentioned only twice in the Torah: among the 70-person party traveling from Canaan to Egypt later in this portion and... Read More
If you had asked me when I graduated from college in 2009 whether there was a need for predominantly LGBTQ+ synagogues, I probably would have said “not really, not anymore.” If you had asked me again, before I started my rabbinical studies in 2013, I probably would have doubled down on that sentiment. I likely would have responded with an argument like this: “Historically, LGBTQ+ Jews founded their own synagogues because mainstream synagogue life was not welcoming and accepting of LGBTQ+ folks. But we’ve come a long way, and given the progress we’ve made, especially in the Reform... Read More
It’s a conversation I had had hundreds of times in my 44 years as a Jewish educator. However, this time was different: It was with my son. “So, if Jill and I get married and neither of us converts, what is the best way to raise children?” I was prepared because he and Jill had been dating for several years. Even though she never went to church when visiting us from Ann Arbor, where they were in school together, I knew her parents were very involved in their church. My response went something like this: “As your Mom, I would love to have Jewish grandchildren. It has been... Read More
A cappella music-makers Six13 are back this year with their new Hanukkah parody song and accompanying video, a very Jewish riff on Queen's iconic "Bohemian Rhapsody." Watch the video here, and let us know what you think. What's your favorite Hanukkah parody of all-time? If you're looking for more latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts), like they sing about here, be sure to check out our Hanukkah recipes and sign up for The Jewish Dish, our monthly foodie newsletter. Read More
After two days of shiva for my wife Ami, z”l, Passover began. That was nearly 10 years ago, but I still remember vividly my feeling of disconnection from the seder and the spiritual disorientation caused by the juxtaposition of my grief with the joy and beauty of Pesach. Almost immediately after the mass murder at Tree of Life – Or L’Simcha Congregation in Pittsburgh, I wondered, what would Hanukkah be like there? Coming so soon after such massive trauma, how would the Festival of Lights be felt in the hearts and spirits of the people? My goal became to find a liturgical response, a... Read More
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