How a "Girls Night Out" is Enhancing My Shabbat Celebrations
Hafrashat challah (separating the challah) is a practice popular in Orthodox circles, as it is one of three mitzvot (commandments) considered special for women. The practice also offers opportunities for women to gather to say special prayers, often for people in need.
When Jewish Cemeteries Rock: My Moroccan Lag BaOmer Adventure
I had always thought of Jewish cemeteries as solemn places – but that was before going to a hilloula (festivity) 30 years ago in the Moroccan town of Ouazzane on Lag BaOmer, the Jewish holiday that falls on the 33rd day between Pesach and Shavuot.
6 Powerful Jewish Travel Experiences to Remember
When you travel abroad, do you try to incorporate Judaism into your visits to other countries? There a myriad ways to experience Jewish life, culture, and, especially, history while traveling outside North America.
Shabbat: A Time to Sing and a Time to Listen
Often, it’s unrealistic to go from our hectic daily life to Shabbat without a buffer between the two – time to take a breath, adjust, unwind, and re-orient our thinking.
Helping Teens Understand Where They Fit in the Jewish Story
NFTY in Israel teens ask one basic question: How did Jews stay together over so much time? Retracing our history helps them find the glue that connects them to the story.
Let Me Clarify: I’m Not a Rabbi!
I am not a rabbi, but some people think I am, in fact, a rabbi – specifically, the rabbi of the synagogue where I am a member, a volunteer lay leader, and a teacher.
How and Why We Must Advocate for a Just Immigration System
The mass raids planned for this weekend in immigrant communities are heartbreaking, heartless, immoral, and bad public policy.
Attempt to Enter the Promised Land, Take One: Fail
The end of this week's parashah includes some short, but memorable pieces of legislation: the explanation for why we tithe a little dough when making challah (Numbers 15:20-21); the killing of the man who gathered wood on Shabbat (Numbers 15:32-36); and the instructions to wear tzitzit w
Fateful Words Can Have Fatal Consequences
The Jewish people's turbulent saga of disillusionment with liberation takes a new and momentarily promising turn this Shabbat, with a foray into the land of Canaan by twelve scouts.