Comedy Helped My Catholic Family Embrace its Jewish Secret
I was born in 1961, baptized, confirmed and given First Communion. But when I was 9, my father began telling me bedtime stories about his narrow escape from the Nazis in Vienna, his entire family murdered – how my maternal grandmother was assassinated in my mother’s childhood home in Bremen, Germany, on Kristallnacht and how, by a miracle, my mother survived.
How to Raise Spiritually Healthy Jewish Kids
In Jewish Spiritual Parenting: Wisdom, Activities, Rituals and Prayers for Raising Children with Spiritual Balance and Emotional Wholeness (Jewish Lights), husband and wife team Rabbi Paul Kipnes and Michelle November, MSSW, draw on Jewish ethical and mystical teachings as well as their own experiences as parents of three children – Rachel, Daniel, and Noah – in creating a valuable resource that is intentional, inclusive, and well attuned to the realities of Jewish life today.
6 Areas of Incredible B'nai Mitzvah Innovation
For the last three years, the URJ 'nai Mitzvah Revolution has supported more than 150 congregations in experimenting in areas that inspire b’nai mitzvah students to express what matters to them in the experience. Here’s are six areas of congregational innovation.
The Struggle for Pluralism at the Kotel Continues
Three times a year – on Sukkot, Pesach and Shavuot – tens of thousands of men gather at the Western Wall to hear Birkat Kohanim, the
Galilee Diary: Suburban Sprawl
On a recent perfect early spring day (warm sun, cooling breeze, brilliant wild flowers) we took the children and grandchildren on a short hike to the mountainside adjacent to Shorashim, picnicking under an olive tree. On the way, we encountered toads, lizards, a scorpion, and caterpillars; our lunch was serenaded by the muezzin of the village of Shaab, with the backup chorus of the jackals that live in the open areas.
"Using Judaism as a Cloak to Conceal Racism"
Figures show that an offensive statement against the Arab public is posted every 6 minutes, while a call for actual physical violence is posted every 27 minutes.
Many Approaches to Tackling Predatory Lending
This week, Google announced that it will no longer allow advertisements for predatory payday loans on its website.
Where We Find the Best Stress Relief for Teens
Teens today are coming of age at a time of intense competition. The pressures they feel to be successful at school, in sports, in pursuit of their passions, in their social lives and in romantic relationships, as daughters and sons, and as leaders – are at an all-time high.
Celebrating Progress Towards Transgender Equality
May 20 marks Transgender Day of Celebration, to acknowledge transgender lives in a joyful and celebratory context. This year, and particularly over the past few weeks, there is a lot for the transgender community and allies to be excited about!
What do the United States, Papua New Guinea and Oman have in Common?
Of 185 nations, the United States is part of a small group of three, alongside Papua New Guinea and Oman.