Hanukkah Reconsidered: A Split in the Jewish Soul
I grew up loving this holiday – until I learned the dark side and felt like a kid discovering that there’s no Santa Claus. It turns out Hanukkah is, in part, a tale of Jew vs. Jew.
Reclaiming the Public Square with Hanukkah Lights
According to Rashi, we light Hanukkah candles to “publicize the miracle.” What exactly is the miracle we’re publicizing – and what’s the best way for us to do so today?
My Jewish Manic Episode
Mania can be challenging. Normally, it’s fairly easy to act properly and lawfully. But when much of your brain is malfunctioning, it can be difficult, if not impossible.
A New Film Profiles Jewish Billionaire George Soros
Oscar-Nominated Short Film Remembers 1939's Massive Nazi Rally in NYC
The Oscar-nominated short film A Night at the Garden is a documentary short about a massive pro-Nazi rally that happened in Madison Square Garden 80 years ago this week.
Who Should Teach About Hanukkah and What Should They Be Teaching?
Now that my daughter is in preschool, I've come to realize that hearing about cultural and religious practices directly from the practitioners only emphasizes our otherness.
Judaism Is a Deep and Powerful Tradition that Belongs to Us All
Every Voice, Every Vote: A Look at Reform Congregations' Accomplishments
A Hanukkah Tradition From My Christian Mother-in-Law
Sometimes we create our own traditions, sometimes we carry on a tradition we inherit, and sometimes a tradition can come from unexpected places.