Is quinoa kosher for Passover?
Quinoa, a grain-like crop grown in South America, is not one of the grains considered chametz (wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt, or their derivatives). Some medieval Ashkenazi rabbis ruled that kitniyot (legumes) could not be eaten during Passover because they could be confused with chametz products. Some authorities consider quinoa to be kitniyot, while others do not.
How Does Reform Judaism Affirm the LGBTQ+ Community?
Reform Judaism has a long and proud history of working for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in Jewish life and for their full civil rights.
How does Reform Judaism define who is a Jew?
Reform Judaism accepts in broad outlines the traditional definition of Jewish status: to be a "Jew" one must be a member of the Jewish people, a status obtained either through birth or conversion. Jewish identity is not determined purely by the individual.
Will A Rabbi Officiate My LGBTQ+ Wedding?
Mazel tov on your upcoming wedding. Although different rabbis may respond differently, nearly all Reform clergy would be happy to work with you.
Do Jews Celebrate Secular Holidays?
A reader asks whether Jews observe civic and secular holidays.
I've been given an aliyah at my nephew’s bar mitzvah. How can I prepare?
Being called to the Torah to chant the blessings before and after the Torah reading is a great honor.
Are Jews allowed to donate organs?
Jewish law does, in fact, permit organ donation! Whatever you have heard, whatever you thought you learned, set that all aside. Jewish law permits us to sign our donor cards and, when someone we love dies, to use their body to save other lives
Does Judaism advise spanking a disobedient child?
Rather than answering this question myself, I’m going to refer you to this great answer by Dr. William Berkson, director of the Jewish Institute for Youth and Family, which originally appeared in Reform Judaism magazine
Why do Jews put small stones on tombstones when visiting the cemetery?
The earliest graves may have been covered by a mound of stones.
How do I bring Jewish values into a secular holiday like Halloween?
Just because Halloween is non-religious does not mean that we should check our Jewishness at the door. Rather, we have the opportunity to bring Jewish values to heart for that festival evening.