Marriage Equality and Passover: "From Degradation to Praise"
This Passover, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will hear two cases that have enormous impact on equality and liberty in our country. On the first two days of Pesach, oral arguments in California's Prop 8 case and the Defense of Marriage Act case will be heard.
Let My People Go... Forth to the Wedding Chapel!
As a rabbi and president-elect of the Central Conference of American Rabbis, I come here to be with you this morning at the Supreme Court on the very first day of Passover to say: Our nation is ready for marriage equality. This is one of the holiest days of the Jewish calendar. It marks the day in Jewish tradition when we mark the Exodus from slavery in ancient Egypt; it marks the beginning of a journey to freedom. Today is our day to march toward that freedom, the freedom to marry. I represent more than 2,500 Reform rabbis. We support marriage equality and have filed Friends of the Court briefs in both today's Prop 8 case and tomorrow's DOMA case. Do not let others tell you that all religions oppose LGBT equality rights. We Reform Jews welcome, support, include, and, yes, advocate full rights and equality, including the right to marry the ones we love.
S’firat HaOmer: The Omer Period in Jewish Life
The mechanism to connect the Exodus with the giving of the Torah is a simple one-counting the days.
Mah Nishtanah: Why is My Passover Different from All Other Passovers?
Mah nishtanah? The familiar words echo through my mind, and yet, for me, they now ask a new question: Mah nishtanah, why is my Passover different from all other Passovers?
Passover Parodies Abound!
At every celebratory Jewish holiday, YouTube seems to burst forth with related parodies, songs, and sketches - and Passover is no exception. Here's are three great new Pesach vids making the rounds on the Internet.
Springs Means Sports and Nostalgia
Spring is the best time of year for the sports fan. I am a sports fan - but already this spring, I miss my baby brother.
In the Twilight at Passover
In the twilight we find meaning
transition between night and day
the interplay of light and shadows
the interplay between one idea and another
thoughts vying for attention
like bird songs at dawn and dusk
the times of day with the most song
How I Hosted a Huge Seder Without Cooking
Although my family started out with the smallest guest list in years last Passover, we ended up with the most well-attended seder we have ever hosted. Thanks to technology, tradition, and trust, we had more people at our seder table than ever before.
Malaria: The Modern Plague
The Religious Action Center is partnering with Nothing But Nets to make the malaria crisis history.
What Children Can Teach Us at Rosh HaShanah
A deep spiritual life is hard to find. While opportunities abound for spiritual connections (yoga, meditation, retreats and the like), for most of us it doesn’t come easy.