My Salute to Birthright Citizens – Including My Dad
My father became a birthright citizen quite by accident, and without it, I wouldn’t be here. I don’t mean I wouldn’t be in the U.S.; I probably wouldn’t exist at all.
A Thank-You Note to My Son
After visiting his son during his first semester away at college, a father writes a loving note, thanking him for being an inspiration.
Why "Call Me By Your Name" is Such a Jewish Movie
Call Me By Your Name has earned wide praise for its nuanced and lush portrayal of a young man's coming to terms with his sexuality.
This Congregation Started a Summer Camp for Refugee Kids – Led by a Teen
Congregation B’nai Israel in Sacramento, CA, created Camp Nefesh, a full-service day camp for newly arrived refugees. To learn more about this 2019 Belin Award-winning initiative, we spoke with Lucy Beckett, the teenager who dreamt up the concept, as well as Denise Crevin, the congregation’s director of education, and Sharon Rogoff of Women of B’nai Israel.
Shabbat in Netanya, Israel: The Israeli Judaism We Need
This is liberal Judaism on the edge: Flinging doors open wide to those who would otherwise be left behind. The community is a voice of Judaism that is open to all who seek it.
This Congregation is Teaching Jewish Leaders to Better Affirm Trans and Queer-Identifying Community Members
The Reform community’s is committed to the full equality and inclusion of people of all gender identities and gender expressions. Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, TX, decided to implement this value in its Gender Identity Training program, which won the congregation a 2019 Belin Award
How the Reform Movement is Responding to Hurricane Harvey
We are now starting to get accurate reports of the damage – and they are staggering. Building on our initial response, here are a few new developments and details.
Vayishlach for Teens: Shabbat Sha-raps
In this parasha, Jacob and Esau are going to meet, possibly to fight, but first Jacob meets someone who tells him of his great future. Jacob is renamed Israel (which means “one who wrestles with God”) and goes to meet Esau, and they have a joyous reunion. Isaac then dies, and sadly, so does Rachel as she gives birth to her last child. Listen to learn more about the family.
Leaving Lucy Pear
Award-winning novelist Anna Solomon’s second novel Leaving Lucy Pear, now out in paperback, is a masterfully woven web of ambition and lies.
What Is Jewish About Japan?
My family and I recently spent time backpacking through Japan. Witnessing people at their holy sites, we were struck by how familiar their customs were to us as Jews.