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Hanukkah Highlights Activity Book
With Hanukkah around the corner, we are excited to soon share our next "Our Story Your Table" downloadable activity book. In collaboration with Highlights Magazine, we developed a kids' activity book for all ages, featuring Hanukkah-themed jokes, activities, games, and a Highlights favorite, the "Seek and Find" puzzle.
First Time Voters Speak Out About Why They Will Show Up to Vote This Year
For those who turn 18 years old by this November 8, this will be their first year as voters. Whether they cast their first vote during a primary this year, fill out an absentee ballot while at college, or plan to visit their polling place on Election Day, these are all Shehecheyanu moments.
Portrait of the Artist as a Young Jewish Man
Two films from acclaimed Jewish filmmakers have debuted during award season this year, each taking semi-autobiographical looks at troubled childhoods. Each picture delivers award-worthy performances from many well-known actors, including Anthony Hopkins and Michelle Williams as sure bets to score Oscar nominations.
Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat (I Should Have Gotten Involved Sooner)
Gun Violence Prevention Shabbat is December 9-10 this year, and in the Torah portion, Parshat Vayishlach, Jacob wrestles with an angel to receive protection from a battle he foresees coming with his brother.
Building a Meaningful Jewish World: A Lesson in Expanding Temple Youth Group Programs
During the COVID pandemic in southern California, we saw our Jewish communities weaken. From our camp spaces disappearing to our teen youth groups (TYG) struggling, many of us stopped programming and decreased in membership, while a few of us thrived the best way we knew how - by joining forces. For us, as youth directors, advisors, and educators, we knew this was the way to keep teens inspired and engaged with one another.
Congress Must Expand the Child Tax Credit, a Powerful Tool Proven to Reduce Poverty
In the American Rescue Plan of 2021, Congress temporarily expanded the Child Tax Credit (CTC). This measure significantly reduced child poverty during a time of economic fallout and uncertainty, but the expansion expired at the end of 2021. As families continue to struggle to make ends meet, with inflation on the rise, Congress must urgently make the CTC expansion permanent in year-end tax legislation.
Affirming and Loving Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Expansive Grandchildren
The Union for Reform Judaism, Jewish Grandparents Network, and Keshet are collaborating on a series of conversations to support grandparents and other loving adults who are interested in providing affirming spaces for gender expansive, non-binary, and transgender young people. These sessions provide grandparents with foundational knowledge, shared language, and inclusive practices.
We Will Not Go Back: It’s Time to Pass the Respect for Marriage Act
The following blog post is adapted from remarks given by Cantor Jason Kaufman (Beth El Hebrew Congregation, Alexandria, VA) at the Faith Voices for the Respect for Marriage Act Press Conference on November 17, 2022.
The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem Looks at Israel’s Sephardi Roots
American audiences may be unaware of the remarkable new series, The Beauty Queen of Jerusalem, which debuted on Netflix earlier this year. This award-winning TV show follows in the footsteps of other acclaimed Israeli exports like Shtisel and Fauda.
Why New Yorkers Should—and I will—Vote “Yes” on New York’s $4.2 Billion Environmental Bond Act in the Next 7 Days
RAC-NY undertook a comprehensive and robust effort to educate our congregations and the broader community about Proposition 1 - the Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Bond Act - and encourage a "Yes" vote on November 8. We were thrilled to join the "Vote Yes for Clean Water and Jobs Coalition," a wonderfully effective and very broad coalition of advocate agencies led by The Nature Conservancy.