SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Feb. 4 (JTA) — Conversion is offering a way to keep Jewish life alive in the tiny Jewish communities of the Caribbean and Central America, though not without potential hazards.
As more of these communities — some numbering as few as 20 members and located in isolated Jewish outposts such as El Salvador and Bahamas — are able to hire full-time rabbis, the conversion issue is a growing one that impacts the communities’ survival.
With the exception of Orthodox communities in Panama and Costa Rica, all the countries in the region face serious questions on how to maintain Jewish identity as members migrate out of the region or marry non-Jews.
“Obviously with a congregation that’s small, part of the problem is we don’t want to marry close relatives,” Ainsley Henriques, honorary secretary of Jamaica’s United Congregation of Israelites, told JTA.
Henriques’ “Conservative but liberal” congregation, the only one on the island, boasts some 200 members, most of them born Jews. Full Story
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Students Seek Spiritual Growth Through Service "It is vital to learn how to stand before God," said Abraham Joshua Heschel, explaining his participation in the famed 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. "Even without words, our march was worship." The late rabbi's spirit was very much in evidence during a recent 10-day rabbinical student mission to the river city of Ciudad Romero in El Salvador. (Forward)
Reform Leader Seeks Sympathetic President Rabbi Eric Yoffie, the president of the Union for Reform Judaism in the US, came to Israel worried and is leaving worried. The Reform Movement has several concerns that remain unaddressed, he said, especially the upcoming election of a new president. (Jerusalem Post)
Clash Looms Over Energy Independence A major debate over energy and the environment is poised to erupt among national Jewish organizations at an upcoming public policy conference. According to communal insiders, several groups belonging to the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, a policy coordinating body made up of 13 national Jewish organizations and 125 local Jewish communities, are wrangling over a proposed resolution on energy independence that is expected to be considered at its annual plenum later this month. (Forward)
Journey From Iraq "I want people to see this book as a journey," says Rivka Goldman, author of Mama Nazima's Jewish-Iraqi Cuisine , published in mid-2006. This is more than just a cookbook; it's a tale of exodus, even survival. Goldman intertwines family stories with recipes derived from her mother, Leah Nazima Sofer, so that the book serves both the stomach and the soul. (Jewish Exponent)
Teens Get a Glimpse Into Politics Right before a recent trip to Washington, D.C., 16-year-old Ben Bernstein said he wasn't all that interested in politics. But after learning about lobbying, campaign-finance reform and even meeting with a congressman, Bernstein can safely say that politics is now on his radar screen. (Jewish Exponent)
Reform Jews Shunned For about a decade now, the State of Israel earmarks synagogue construction budgets to the tune of hundreds of millions of shekels. Thus far, all the synagogues that were built with government funding were entrusted in the hands of Orthodox communities, non-profit groups and organizations. (Ynet News.com)
Rabbi Saperstein Praises Creation of Human Trafficking Unit in Justice Department The Reform Movement has fought against human trafficking worldwide for years. Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism praised the Justice Department's creation of this unit and said, "We recognize the divine presence in each and every victim of human trafficking and welcome the additional federal resources now being committed to ending trafficking and prosecuting those responsible."
Expanding Your Spiritual Knowledge: Resources on Worship Want to learn more about our traditions and prayers? Looking for a way to expand your connection to Judaism? Have questions but don't know where to start looking for the answers? The Department of Worship, Music and Religious Living has an extensive resource list to help you expand your spiritual knowledge.
Waking Up With Judaism Mornings are hectic as coffee percolates, lunches get packed, and kids get fed and dressed--all before everyone leaves the house. In the midst of the craziness, take a few moments with your children to begin the day with a Jewish ritual or two. Together, you'll cherish the morning as a special time for new beginnings rather than just a frantic rush out the door. Try these rituals with your family on Monday.
Plan to Take Action: Consultation on Conscience Join Jewish leaders and activists in Washington, D.C. on April 15-17 for the 2007 Consultation on Conscience. Learn from key policy and government leaders about the issues that shape our lives, explore the connection between Jewish texts and current events, and build strong social action and advocacy skills to use in your congregation. Sign up today and start saving the world.
Answers to Questions of Tradition Ever since Abraham, the ceremony of Berit Mila has marked the covenant between God and K'lal Yisrael . But what do the ceremony and the covenant mean for new and expecting parents? The Reform Movement has come together to answer this question with the Berit Mila Program. Learn more about all aspects of the celebration that brings a new member into the Jewish people.
Going Global: Progressive Judaism World Wide Progressive Judaism is growing around the world. Learn more about how liberal Jewish thought and practice are expanding through the work of the World Union for Progressive Judaism. Working with congregations on every continent and in every Jewish community, the World Union has taken great strides to strengthen Progressive Judaism in countries throughout the world.
What Really Happened on Mount Sinai? Rabbi Lawrence Kushner points out a very difficult set of questions that center on what really took place on Mount Sinai. While there is no way to know for sure, Rabbi Kushner searches traditional and modern explanations to answer these questions. Read his d'var Torah to learn more about what happened on the mountain.
Amazon weathers storm on Carter book Amazon.com refused demands to remove a review criticizing Jimmy Carter's "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" from its Web site -- but critics of Israel claimed victory in the struggle. Full Story
'Quartet' rifts widen Barely a year after the diplomatic "Quartet" guiding the Israeli-Palestinian peace process moved to isolate Hamas over its hardline stance, the consensus appears to be falling apart. Full Story
Is community squelching Israel critics? An essay that drew little attention upon its publication is now fueling a growing debate over the contours of Israel advocacy in the United States and a furious backlash against alleged attempts to stifle criticism of Israel. Full Story
Updating Israel's army When Gabi Ashkenazi takes over as chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, he'll face a mammoth task: Within the next few months he'll be expected to restructure the army, redefine its operational doctrine and restore its self-belief. Full Story
Egypt claims to find Israeli spy ring As it tries to broker an end to Palestinian factional fighting, Egypt also claims to have busted an Israeli spy ring. Like past Egyptian allegations of Israeli spying, is it merely a fabrication for domestic consumption? Full Story
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