Putting Down Roots: Why Our Jewish Family Needs a Yard Full of Trees
We celebrated the holiday of Tu BiShvat – the “Jewish Arbor Day” – way back in February, and we won’t celebrate it again until January. But no matter: I need to talk about the trees now.
Galilee Diary: Galilee encounters
Rethinking the Holy Days
I’ve come to the conclusion we need to change the date of Simchat Torah. Our Jewish festivals must be re-envisioned as inspirational community gatherings of joyful spiritual Jewish celebration. Every single festival needs to be a time of great community involvement and meaning.
In the Face of Injustice, Even a Soft Voice is Better Than Silence
The worst sin of all is failing to speak up. When we say nothing, we are saying everything wrong. Worse yet, when we say nothing, we are saying everything wrong is right.
What My Arabic Lessons Are Teaching Me About Coexistence
This new year, I’m studying Arabic to be able to converse with Palestinians in Israel and the West Bank, augmenting my lifelong caring relationship with Israel.
How to Supercharge Your Torah Study this Year
Each Monday, ReformJudaism.org shares the gift of the guidance of eminent modern-day scholars and leading Jewish thinkers via Reform Voices of Torah.
Tu BiShvat: Customs and Rituals
Tu BiShvat: History
Baal t’kiah
Literally, “master of t’kiah,” meaning “one who sounds the shofar.”
Cheit
A Hebrew term for “sin.” Cheit is a Hebrew archery term meaning “missing the mark.” A section of High Holiday liturgy is the Al Cheit, a confession of ways in which we “missed the mark” during the past year.