It’s Hard to be a Jew at Christmas, But Even Harder on Tu BiSh’vat
It is a truth universally acknowledged that it can be difficult to be Jewish at Christmas time. It has seeped into North American cultural consciousness so thoroughly that South Park even wrote a song about it, complete with trademark expletives.
The Sacred Act of Unplugging: For Our Kids, For Ourselves
My 6-year-old son recently staged a one-man play in our kitchen. It had a simple plot – a mom with her face buried in her phone, tapping away at the keys while a kid tries to get her attention. “Tap, tap, tap… Mom. Mom. Mom…. tap, tap, tap. Mom, Mom, Mom. Tap, tap, tap. MOM! MOM!
A Cardinal's Synagogue Address: God's Will is for Peace
At some point in his or her career, every member of the clergy is called on to defend the efficacy of organized religion as a force for good.
Shabbat Evening Blessings: Kiddush - Blessing over Wine
Blessing over the wine and sanctification of the day for Shabbat.
Shabbat Evening Worship Services: Chatzi Kaddish
Worship Services: Sh'ma
Referred to as our "watchword of faith," it declares our belief in one God. This prayer serves as the centerpiece of morning and evening services.
Worship Services: V'ahavta
From Deuteronomy and Numbers, this prayer expresses how we will love God.
Shabbat Evening Worship Services: V'shamru and Yismechu
From Exodus 31:16-17, this prayer reminds us that we keep the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant with God.
Shabbat Evening Worship Services: Elohai N'tzor and Oseh Shalom
My God, guard my speech from evil and my lips from deception.
Shabbat Morning Worship Services: Chatzi Kaddish
Version of the Kaddish, praising God, that serves to delineate different sections of the service.