Celebrating Love and Equality at My Jewish, Irish, Same-Sex Wedding
The inscription inside the kippot (head coverings) shared on my wedding day read, "September 2, 2016, Marriage of Michael and MacDara."
Senate Committee Passes DOMA Repeal
The Defense of Marriage Act bars federal recognition of same-sex
Discrimination Begets Poverty
According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, 20% of homeless youth are LGBT (even though only 10
A Legacy of Kindness, Generosity, and Love
Ironically, this week's Torah portion, Chayei Sarah ("Sarah lived"), is not about Sarah's life but about her legacy. Beginning with mention of her death and of Abraham's great mourning for her, the parashah primarily focuses on the Bible's first story of betrothal, namely that of Isaac to his cousin Rebekah. The relationship between their engagement and subsequent marriage, and Sarah's legacy becomes clear as the parashah unfolds.
Economic Justice on the Ballot
With Election Day coming very soon, it’s important to keep in mind all the items on your ballot that you’ll be able to weigh in on. States ballot measures—sometimes known as referenda, propositions or amendments—are issues of importance that are left to voters to decide.
Galilee Diary: Jewish identity/Israeli identity
Take your son," - "Which son?"
"Your only son," - "Each is the only son of his mother."
"The one you love," - "I love them both."
"Isaac."
-Midrash Genesis Rabbah 39, on Genesis 22:2
How Each Shabbat Is a Eulogy for My Late Father
Each Shabbat, my eyes tear up when I sing the Kiddush. My dad would smile to hear my husband's baritone and our daughter's alto carrying on his tradition.
Family Discord and Distrust
Friendships among siblings can be close and long-lasting. Many times, however, they are difficult to achieve or sustain. This week's parashah provides insight into the latter.
Book Discussion: Sacred Trash: The Lost and Found World of The Cairo Geniza
Prior to reading Sacred Trash: The Lost and Found World of The Cairo Geniza, by Adina Hoffman and Peter Coles, if asked to define a geniza, my response would have been: "a place to bury sacred text that contained the name of God".
A Biblical Text of Terror
In the midst of this week’s parashah, most of which focuses on Jacob’s return to the land of Canaan with his wives, maidservants, and children, is a lengthy story about Jacob’s only daughter, Dina (Genesis 34). While Jacob briefly appears in this story, he plays a surprisingly insignificant role. Indeed, after Jacob hears that Dina has been raped by Shechem, a local Hivite prince, he neither tells anyone nor takes any action, choosing to wait until his sons, who are in the fields tending to the livestock, return home (Genesis 34:5).