Louis D. Brandeis: American Prophet
Constitutional scholar Jeffrey Rosen’s new biography Louis D. Brandeis: American Prophet coincides with the 100th anniversary of the confirmation of America’s first Jewish Supreme Court justice.
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.
Homesick: A Novel
If you appreciate the literary style and works of Amos Oz you will enjoy Homesick by Eshkol Nevo. The narrative's locale is Mevasseret, a suburb of Jerusalem. In 1947 it was abandoned by the Arabs who were fearful of suffering the same fate as the Arabs massacred at Deir Yassin. It was the fall of 1995, Yitzhak Rabin had been assassinated and there were ongoing hostilities in Lebanon. The principal characters all resided in or were in some way connected to Mevasseret.
Vienna: Searching for Roots, Finding My Mission
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.
A Nun, A Priest and A Rabbi
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.
Why Shabbat Is the Opposite of Busy, and Five Ways to Get in on It
"Busy." It’s a word that rolls off my tongue with such ease that it scares me. Being busy – overscheduled and overcommitted while deeply resenting this state of being – takes a great toll on my physical, psychological, and spiritual wellness. And I'm not alone. Busy has become emblematic of success in our 21st-century society -- and yet, more than ever, people are exhausted, burned out, and desperately seeking refuge from their everyday existence.
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.