A Reform Jew-by-Choice Begins His Journey to the Rabbinate
I began my journey to Judaism nervously. Unlike the Charedim (ultra-Orthodox) who are anxious before the word of God, I was anxious in the uncertainty of the future.
In Lockdown, We Built a Cyber-Sanctuary
Never in my life have I craved Shabbat as deeply as I did on Friday, April 19th, 2013.
The Holy Privilege of Resting on Shabbat
"On six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a Sabbath of complete rest, holy to the Lord; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death." Exodus 35: 2
Living a Jewish Life with Autism Spectrum Disorder
My family loves winter. Just about every weekend between New Year’s and the end of February, you will find us practicing with the Montgomery County Maryland Special Olympics downhill ski team. My husband, Michael, is the head coach and my 23-year-old daughter, Sarah, is an athlete.
The Elul Mitzvah Challenge: Join In!
In Pirkei Avot, the rabbis wrote, “Mitzvah goreret mitzvah, averah goreret averah,” one mitzvah (commandment/good deed) leads to another mitzvah, and one transgression leads to another transgression.
An Arizona Congregation Forms a New Kind of "Israel Bonds"
Jews of a certain age might share similar early impressions of Israel. In Chicago, where I grew up, the young congregants at Lawn Manor Hebrew Congregation were inculcated with a firm commitment to the Jewish state.
Finding Our Fergusons: An Opportunity to Do Something Extraordinary
Standing on the steps of the Old Court House in St. Louis the night before Michael Brown’s funeral, we stopped marching and chanting, and instead prayed quietly for his family and the families of so many black men who have been shot by police.
Engaging with the Tribe When You Don't Live Anywhere Near It
To be a Jew is to be part of a community, affectionately referred to as a “Member of the Tribe,” the People Israel. Indeed, much of Jewish life requires more than the individual: traditionally, a minyan, a group of 10 learned Jews, is considered essential to many parts of Jewish worship.
Postcards for Alec: On Shabbat, Asperger's, and Making New Friends
This post is part of #JDAMblogs, a series of blog posts throughout the Jewish community during the month of February in honor of Jewish Disability Awareness M
A Lifetime of Conflict: My Son, the IDF Soldier
It is Shabbat, and my wife Anat and I are relaxing in lounge chairs in the small backyard of our home.