How Music Can Help Us Make Connections in Difficult Times
The Hamilton craze is sweeping the nation, and even the Jewish community isn’t exempt. Case in point: Recently, at the annual convention of the American Conference of Cantors and the Guild of Temple Musicians, several cantors led a Shacharit (morning) service that included several prayers set to tunes from the smash hit by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
And it wasn’t the only secular music to take center stage. Just two days earlier, a few colleagues and I had led a Maariv (evening) service that included “Be Here Now” by Ray LaMontagne and “Grateful” by John Bucchino.
What is it that makes secular music useful and appropriate in a service setting? Or is it?
Building Bridges: Working to Ensure Washington Won't Discriminate
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if for myself only, what am I?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14)
Starting my Year in Israel by Standing Up for Social Justice
This summer, I began my rabbinical school studies at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion.
These 5 Well-Known Sites May Be Destroyed By Climate Change
Reform Jewish tradition teaches, “Do not destroy my world, for if you do, there will be nobody after you to make it right again” (Midrash Ecclesiastes Rabbah 7:13). Once these sites are destroyed, all the history and wonder they represent will be gone with them.
Going for Gold: A Refugee Team Will Compete at the Rio Olympics
Having Team Refugee at the Olympic games will bring further attention to the plight of refugees worldwide, and is helping change the lives of the athletes who now have a chance to compete.
Leadership Doesn't Need to Be a Lonely Endeavor: We’re Here to Help
In many parts of the country, August is a time to restart our engines after the slower, lazy days of summer. As parents, we’re getting our kids back to school and as synagogue leaders, we’re preparing for the High Holidays. To those of you who took on new roles in your congregation during the summer, whether for the first time or as a veteran leader in a new post, Baruch haba (Welcome)! We’re delighted to have you among the Reform Movement’s leadership ranks.
7 Jewish American Olympians to Watch in Rio
When the 2016 Summer Olympics open Friday, we'll of course be cheering the American athletes — all 555 of them — and we'll be rooting for Israel, too. But we're saving a special shout-out for some of the Jewish-American Olympians who have given the Tribe extra reasons to be proud this year.
Conflict for the Sake of Heaven
From conversion-related controversy to conflicts over access to the Kotel, it seems nary a news cycle in the life of the Jewish people passes without a story about intra-Jewish conflict. However, far less discussed are documented instances of intra-Jewish cooperation, particularly those in which Reform rabbis had leading roles in bringing the Jewish world – in its totality – closer together.
Tools to Make You a Successful Congregational Leader
The URJ has numerous opportunities and resources that will help ensure not only your own success as a leader, but also that of your entire congregational community.
Olympic Gold Medal Winner: Strong, Proud, and Jewish
Garrett Weber-Gale, who has broken four world and eight American swimming records, went home from the 2008 Beijing Olympics with two gold medals. Last year, the 30-year-old athlete from Wisconsin was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. A proud Reform Jew, Garrett received his Jewish education at Congregation Shalom in Milwaukee and at the Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute (OSRUI), a Reform summer camp in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where he remembers spending five “idyllic” summers. Today he lives with his wife, Kara, in Austin, Texas, where he founded Athletic Foodie, a business that makes snacks specifically designed to help athletes perform at their best.