Displaying 31 - 40 of 332
The Secular Jew Who Transformed Judaism
Baruch Spinoza’s ideas profoundly impacted Jewish thought and belief.
Theodor Herzl Tapestry
Dear Jonathan, I inherited my grandfather’s tapestry, which portrays Theodor Herzl on a balcony at the First Zionist Congress. I believe it may be an early 20th century piece produced by the Bezalel School of Art and Design in Jerusalem. What are your thoughts as to its rarity and value?
At Home with the Homeless
God is always asking us to serve. In the Torah portion Tzav (Hebrew for “command”), God offers deliberate and precise instructions, too.
The Film “Sosúa: Make a Better World” Brings to Light Almost Forgotten Story of The Shoah
I saw on CNN that there was rioting in Washington Heights and I was concerned about you." Rioting in Washington Heights was news to me. Such are the joys of our globalized communications galaxy.
Jewish/Artistic/Present: The Work of Jim Winters
A continuing theme running through the book of Exodus is the coming and going of both Moses and God. After the lengthy drama of the Exodus, Moses disappears up the mountain and reappears to see the chaos of the episode of The Golden Calf.
Women and the Zionist Dream: Helping the Barren Land Bloom
Learn about the women who, in the late 19th century, were determined to partake fully in the Zionist endeavor, aspiring to be equal partners with men in making the barren land bloom.
What is Kabbalah?
Kabbalah (also spelled Kabalah, Cabala, Qabala)—sometimes translated as “mysticism” or “occult knowledge—is a part of Jewish tradition that deals with the essence of God. Whether it entails a sacred text, an experience, or the way things work, Kabbalists believe that God moves in mysterious ways. However, Kabbalists also believe that true knowledge and understanding of that inner, mysterious process is obtainable, and through that knowledge, the greatest intimacy with God can be attained.
Opening Prayers and Readings
The beginning of the service is the time to set the tone. By opening with a special reading, the congregation knows that the service has a special theme and we can consider how we might focus our prayers differently during this service.
G'ulah
G’ulah “G’ulah” means “redemption.” In this prayer, we remember the greatest example of Israel’s redemption, our escape from Egypt through the parting of the Red Sea. The story of our redemption is the release from slavery and oppression and the beginning of our history as a free people.
G'vurot
G’vurot The G’vurot speaks of God’s limitless power. God has the ability to lift up the fallen, heal the sick, and free the captive. Our very lives and deaths are in God’s hands.