Sukkot: Festival of Voting Booths
Practicing Audacious Hospitality on Sukkot
I cherish the holiday of Sukkot. It beautifully encapsulates the quintessential magic of this bountiful time of year.
Becoming a Jewish Family
“So, how many children do you want?” Not an unusual question for a man to ask his girlfriend when he is beginning to think about a future with her. However, when I heard this question, it came from the cute, industrious Israeli I had been dating for about six months and I actually lau
Being a Bahá'í in a Jewish Community: Reflections on Being an Interfaith Family
When my husband and I decided to get married, we knew that one of our main challenges would be raising children in a Jewish and Bahá'í home with Jewish and Christian grandparents.
Dwelling in Safety on Sukkot: A Prayer for Refugees
We pray to you
Creator of the Universe,
who causes the winds to blow
and the seas to rage…
For the weary and the heart shattered
refugees
escaping violence and bloodshed and war
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?
Inviting Guests into Your Sukkah to Take Action Against Hunger and Climate Change
On Sukkot, we celebrate the harvest.
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.
This Temple's Award-Winning LGBTQ+ "Uninitiative" Exemplifies the Ongoing Work of Audacious Hospitality
Temple Emanuel of the Merrimack Valley in Lowell, MA, won a 2019 URJ Belin Award for its LGBTQ+ “Uninitiative,” a series of audaciously hospitable actions to welcome and support the congregation’s LGBTQ+ community.