Sukkot: Festival of Voting Booths
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?
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.
How To Talk Politics at Your Family Seder Without Killing Each Other
Should we avoid prickly subjects at the seder? Steer clear of talk about candidates, platforms, policies and anything potentially objectionable for the sake of a happy holiday?
Take Action on World Malaria Day
Monday, April 25, is World Malaria Day, a time when athletes, musicians, actors and actresses, faith leaders and many more advocates around the world will join together to call attention to fight against malaria.
Justice Delayed by Indefinite Detention
In the book of Deuteronomy, we find one of the best-known social justice texts in our tradition: “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” “Justice, justice shall you pursue” (16:20).
This Yom Kippur, Let Your Emotions Serve as "Radical Blessings"
22,202 CE: A Year With No Rosh HaShanah
Soon, Jews around the world will celebrate the beginning of the Jewish new year, 5781, and many of us will do so not from our synagogues as usual, but rather from our homes, looking into our computer sc