What's Real about a Virtual Shabbat Service?
Frankly, I was skeptical about attending services online – but it was the occasion of the yahrzeit (anniversary of death) for my wife’s brother, and this was our only option for respecting her wish to recite the Mourner’s Kaddish with our Jewish community.
A Poem for Yom HaShoah, Observed Amid a Global Heath Crisis
Today especially
i am grateful for a life to call mine
the bright sunshine
on a day we remember when millions died
Watch: On Yom HaShoah, Reform Jewish Teens Interview a Holocaust Survivor
To close out this year's observance of Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, Reform Jewish teen leaders spoke with Holocaust survivor Ralph Rehbock to hear his story and talk about finding hope in times of darkness.
How I'm Finding Blessings Amid the Separation
As challenging as these days of quarantine have been, I take comfort in the many ways this strange time of separation have enabled us – however ironically – to come together. Here are a few of the “blessings of separation” I’ve experienced in the age of COVID-19.
Pandemic in the Petri Dish of Prison: A Jewish Call for Justice
The Book of Proverbs instructs us to “speak up for those who cannot speak...to raise our voices on behalf of the vulnerable and downtrodden.” (Proverbs 31:8-9). The individuals who make up America’s prison population are isolated, vulnerable, and voiceless.
From Tragedy to Celebration, We Honor the State of Israel
I Want to Observe Shabbat. Where do I Begin?
The best way to begin observing Shabbat is by starting small and adding to your Shabbat observance as you grow more comfortable. If you are interested in ritual, try learning the blessings of the Shabbat table.
Passover Evening Blessings: Kiddush - Blessing over the Wine, Shabbat Version
Blessing over the wine for the festival of Passover when the seder falls on Friday night. The Shehecheyanu (see below) is recited after the kiddush, immediately before drinking the wine
What College Has Taught Me About the Power of Shabbat
Growing up, my family didn’t usually celebrate Shabbat at home. Only when I went away to college did Shabbat become truly meaningful.