Holy Atheism! The Role of Faith in Judaism
As Yom Kippur, our only holiday which focuses on our relationship with God, fades behind us, I am reminded of a 2007 article I read in Newsweek.
Halloween: It's All About the Candy!
It was not until I joined my synagogue’s religious education committee that I learned that many American Jews do not celebrate Halloween. From the time I could trick-or-treat, I knew the basics of Halloween: There were witches and goblins, I went trick-or-treating and got candy, and later in life, we collected money for UNICEF. As far as I was concerned, religion had nothing to do with Halloween.
Why do Jewish Holidays Begin at Night?
On the Jewish calendar, holidays begin in the evening, at sundown, and they continue through the next day.
I plan to attend Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur services this year for the first time. Will I be expected to donate money during the service, like in a church service? If so, what’s the "right” amount?
The Soap Myth: A Conversation with Playwright Jeff Cohen
The Soap Myth, a new play about Holocaust denial, stars Ed Asner and Tovah Feldshuh.
7 Ideas for Observing Yom HaShoah This Year
Here are just a few of the many stories, prayers, and other resources to help you commemorate this solemn holiday.
A New Jewish Initiative Will Stand Up for Immigrant and Refugee Justice
On the eve of Yom HaShoah, the Kraus Family Foundation and the Union for Reform Judaism announced a new initiative to galvanize people to action around the immigration and refugee crisis in the U.S.
Yom HaShoah: When Will Senseless Hatred Be a Thing of the Past?
On Yom HaShoah, I will attend a ceremony at Yad Vashem. While it would be good to hear Israeli leaders talk about anti-Semitism in the past tense, I doubt it will happen.