Keeping despair at bay. I’m distraught and feeling on the verge of hopelessness about Israel’s democracy. Israel is approaching 75, a time when you’d think a democracy would have had time to mature and become entrenched. But Israel’s democracy, like those of so many other countries, is under attack. Israel is on the verge of […]
Keeping Despair at Bay Read More »
How to Make Latkes Read More »
Well, it has happened again just last week. In fact, in happens every single time. After one of our Secular Brit Mitzvah ceremonies, someone comes up to me and says “This is the most meaningful Bar or Bat Mitzvah I’ve ever been to.” I often hear stories about ceremonies that consisted of memorized Hebrews and
As the news of Omicron spreads, even alone in my house, I can hear the head-banging and the groans from all over the world. Not again! I thought we were done with this! I can’t do this any more! It has to stop! No no no no nonononooooooo! Well, it’s yes yes yes. It is
August 2, 1492. The date by which all Jews in Spain had to leave the country. OK, maybe it was July 31 – the historical record is not exactly clear, and our calendar-keeping has changed since then. Either way, it was close enough to Tisha B’Av for the event to be associated with the date.
The Summer Holiday Nobody Notices Read More »
From the father of our Secular movement: “The most beautiful of the Jewish days is Shabes, the holiday with social significance. For the first time, the idea of the right to rest was proclaimed for the slave and for the worker-a right which is much more important than the world-renowned “right to work” with which
The Most Beautiful Day Read More »
If you don’t do what I say, then I’m going to hurt someone you don’t care about! Does that sound like a good way to force someone to do what you want? No? But that’s what happens in the story of Pesakh (Passover). Ancient Egypt was ruled by an absolute monarch who owned all land
Let’s Talk About Plagues Read More »
We Are Who Believe We Are Read More »
Are you struggling? Overwhelmed? You’re not alone. It’s been a weird, demanding, and terribly sad six months. Some of us feel completely helpless, others full of rage, still others too depressed to keep caring. Actually, a lot of us feel all of those emotions, serially or even all at once. It is ok to feel
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