When You’re a Jewish Leader You’re Never Alone
I “got the call” to the rabbinate my junior year in college. After speaking to my parents, I went to talk to my Hillel rabbi. He asked me, “Rachel, do you really want to be a rabbi? Or do you just want to be a more observant Jew?”
When You’re a Jewish Leader, You’re Never Alone
I am so grateful that none of us ever have to feel that we are doing the work of Jewish leadership alone. We have an entire movement walking beside us.
How and Why I Launched a Jewish Podcast
Independence doesn’t always play well with collaboration, and launching my own podcast helped me balance these two opposite forces in my life.
Raising a Moral Voice to Protect Sacred Lands
I recently visited Bears Ears National Monument in the company of 20 faith and tribal leaders to raise a moral voice to protect sacred native sites and public lands.
Finding Common Ground: Massachusetts Governor Baker's Address to the URJ Biennial
This address was presented before the 74th Union for Reform Judaism Biennial convention on Wednesday, December 6.
Another Brick in the Wall
W.C. Fields said, "Never work with animals or children, [they steal the spotlight]." Though no one ever accused him of being a Torah scholar, his insight was certainly applicable to this week's Torah portion. Parashat Noach, the second portion in the Book of Genesis (and my bar mitzvah portion) is perhaps the most universally known and, at least by children, most adored portion in the entire Torah. This is in part, no doubt, because it has not one animal, but all animals — and they come in pairs! Later, God teaches us to value one another in the incident of the Tower of Babel.
URJ Heller High: Creating a Better Jewish Future
If progressive Judaism is going to prevail, the Union for Reform Judaism must be investing in ways to connect young Jews to our traditions, to Israel, and to our future.
Communication, Professionalism, and Compassion: The URJ's Response to Hurricane Matthew
As a trained professional first responder, I’ve been taught how to deal with potentially impending crisis – and I’ve been through many of them. The URJ helped me through this one.
'You Shall Be Holy': The Supreme Court and LGBTQ Equality
On October 8, the day before Yom Kippur, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments for three cases that will have lasting impact on the rights of LGBTQ people in the United States.
10 Inspiring Jews Who Died in 5776
This past year has taken many notable and influential members of the tribe from all walks of life. Here are just a few of those whose passings left a lasting mark on 5776.