Sukkot: Festival of Voting Booths
Stop Cuts to Family Planning
Putting Down Roots: Why Our Jewish Family Needs a Yard Full of Trees
We celebrated the holiday of Tu BiShvat – the “Jewish Arbor Day” – way back in February, and we won’t celebrate it again until January. But no matter: I need to talk about the trees now.
Coming Full Circle: The NFTY in Israel Tikkun Olam Experience
Inspired 5781: More Art, More Awe
I grew up going to services. A lot of services. I was adept at counting the ceiling tiles, reaching into the thousands as my grasp of numbers grew more sophisticated. The melodies became part of my life soundtrack; I hummed them as my mind wandered during the rabbi’s sermon.
3 Ideas for Cultivating Teen Reflection and Introspection During the High Holidays
As we slip into Elul, thoughts about the holidays are swirling in my head. I’m an educator who loves using the Meyers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a tool to advance self-reflection, interpersonal dynamics, and building resilient teams. For me, this time of year is an especially unique dance between introversion and extroversion, moving in and out of our comfort zones with our Jewish values embracing us along the way. At URJ Kutz Camp, we focus year-round on supporting teen leadership development. During this time of year especially, we are pleased to share resources to encourage conversation between teens and adults.
The New (Old) Jewish Diet: It's Not What You Think!
The weather is warm, the ground is green, and you long ago shed your heavy coats and sweaters for more fluid and arm-revealing clothing. But if you're still trying to shed a few pounds to fit comfortably into last summer's shorts, I have a suggestion: Why not try "the Jewish diet"?
Please Join Us, But Not Just on the Days of Awe
We want you to come to High Holiday services, but we want you to come back, too -- when it’s less crowded and when we can welcome you and show you what we’re all about.
Tishah B'Av: What's in a Name?
William Shakespeare wrote in Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name?” The holiday of Tishah B’Av, which literally translates to the “Ninth of (the month of) Av” is so named to remember the destruction of the ancient temples in Jerusalem (in 586 BCE and 70 CE) said to have occurred on that day.
Reform Judaism, the Former Soviet Union, and the Next Great Jewish Renaissance
Many of today’s North American Jews can trace their family roots to the vast expanse in between Vitebsk, Belarus, and Khabarovsk, Russia. Today, there are more than 40 Reform Jewish communities in this region, and that number is growing.