My child is graduating from college. Is there a prayer or blessing I can say?
At such a poignant milestone, this prayer captures both the emotion in parents’ hearts and their hopes for their child’s future
How do we help children cope with tragedies that occur in our communities and in the news headlines?
What does Judaism teach us about helping our children to cope with terrible news that even we, as adults, find challenging to understand or process?
Does listening to a podcast count as study? Is it OK to say the blessing if I’m listening to commentary without reading or hearing the Torah portion?
Listening to the podcast definitely counts as Torah study. It’s an opportunity to learn a bit of Torah and start to think about the weekly Torah while also incorporating some modern-day thinking into the traditional message.
Can a Reform Jew believe the Torah is the word of God?
In answer to your question, "Can a Reform Jew believe that God gave the Torah at Sinai?" I think that the most honest answer is, "Yes, but..." Let me start with that "but.
What is the Reform position on clergy officiating at the wedding of a Jew to a person brought up in a different faith?
I’m Jewish and my partner is not. We’d like to have a Jewish wedding and plan to raise a Jewish family. Will a Reform rabbi or cantor officiate at our wedding?
I’m a Jew-by-choice. Can we plan to name our baby after a living relative who is not Jewish?
In Ashkenazic practice (Jews of Eastern European origin), the custom is to name a child after a relative who has died, while Sephardim (Jews of Spanish and Middle Eastern origin) tend to name their children after living relatives. Reform practice allows either option.
Is there a Jewish holiday that highlights love?
A little-known holiday is Tu B'Av, a day marked by dancing and courtship.
Is the Child of an Interfaith Couple Considered Jewish?
Historically, since the Rabbinic period (post 70 CE), Jewish status was passed down by the mother.