Fostering Interfaith Understanding in the Western Galilee
A couple of years ago, my congregation Emet VeShalom’s musical ensemble, joined with volunteers from nearby Nes Ammim, a lovely Christian, European Zionist village, to hold a joint concert called “Li
Galilee Diary: Round and Round
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month there shall be the Feast of Sukkot to the Lord, seven days. The first day shall be a sacred occasion: you shall not work oat your occupations; seven days you shall bring offerings by fire to the Lord.
The Enemy Within Our Military
For years, members of the United States military were fighting a silent, internal battle: sexual assault was rampant and the military was covering it up.
Title IX Protects Students
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a comprehensive federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex under any educational program or activity receiving federal funding,
Outraged Reform Jewish Leaders to Israeli PM: Denounce Degrading Body Searches of Female Rabbinic Students at Kotel
Senior leadership of the Reform Movement, the largest movement in Jewish life, sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to unnecessary and demeaning body searches imposed on female rabbinic students at the Western Wall in Jerusalem:
Dear Prime Minister Netanyahu,
We are writing to express our outrage and dismay about the humiliation of a cohort of Reform rabbinic students, all of whom are the future leadership of the Jewish people, at the entrance to the Kotel on August 23rd, Rosh Hodesh Elul.
Two of our female rabbinic students, who are spending their first year of studies in Israel, were stopped at the entrance to the Kotel. After they passed through a metal detector (which clearly indicated that they were not posing any security threat), they were asked to lift their skirts and shirts in a demeaning way, an action that completely defied the decisions the Supreme Court reached on this matter.
Honoring Chiune Sugihara, an Unknown Hero
"Whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world." – Talmud
Preparing for a Jewish Funeral: A Checklist
How Do You Inspire Trust?
As Jewish leaders, we are looked to as teachers, guides, mentors, advisers, counselors, and confidantes. People trust us; with their questions, with their challenges, with their significant moments, with their children and other cherished family members, with their spirits and with their so
The Season of December Decisions
As we move into the season of "December Decisions", there are many things that we in the Jewish community can do to help our Christian friends, family, neighbors and co-workers celebrate Christmas.
A URJ Update on Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
We are reaching out to all Reform-affiliated congregations in the affected area to provide assistance as appropriate.