Homemade Challah
A Prayer for the Shabbat before Mother's Day
A prayer for all types of mothers, to say on the Shabbat before Mother's Day (or anytime).
Cold: Prayer for a Chilly Shabbat
Snow days can be fun; not so this kind of cold. It was colder in Chicago this week than it was in the North Pole.
Why All Jewish Conferences Should Include Shabbat
Without fail, people responsible for scheduling and planning Jewish conferences repeatedly grapple with the same old question: what do we do about Shabbat?
What Can Camp Teach Us About Judaism at Home?
At camp, Judaism is a joy. It’s woven into camp stories, camp friends, and every camp experience.
How Shabbat Dinners Transformed a White Nationalist
Learn why an Orthodox Jewish student invited a fellow student, a known white nationalist, to Shabbat dinner in his dorm room…and what happened from there.
A Jewish Response to Political Scandal
As we witness public figures dismantled by the revelation of ugly episodes from their pasts, we parents must distill these events and their aftermath for our children.
The Evolving Role of the Tallit
When I was speaking with a 95-year-old congregant this week, she shared with me the uncomfortable feeling of having her synagogue change around her. “We used to be properly Reform. Now, when I come, I see people wearing a tallit..... " For her, seeing fellow congregants wearing a tallit feels like a betrayal of the Reform principles she holds dear.... The commandment to wear tzitzit, the fringes on the corners of the tallit, comes from this parashah.
The Challenge of Holding God Close While Keeping Fear at Bay
The poet Yehuda Amichai writes: I don’t want an invisible god... I want a god who is seen... , so I can lead him around and tell him what he doesn’t see… ... In this week’s portion, Ki Tisa, we reconnect with this unfinished storyline at the beginning of Exodus 32. While Moses tarries atop Mount Sinai, the people down below are losing their patience: