The images and scant details of the Chelsea Clinton-Marc Mezvinsky wedding raise a number of questions about the significance of the union for American Jews and what it says about intermarriage in America. Read more »
During his recent trip to Haiti, it was easy for Rabbi Allan Tuffs of Hollywood's Temple Beth El to feel sadness at the amount of human suffering caused by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the country in January. But after seeing the smiling faces of the 30 children he helps support, the feeling transformed to inspiration from their unyielding faith and hope. Read more »
Israeli law prohibits women from reading the Torah at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, one of Judaism's most sacred spots. Anat Hoffman wants to change that. She's the chairwoman of Women of the Wall and a leading figure in the Reform Movement in Israel. Earlier this month she was arrested for carrying the Torah at the wall. Hoffman tells guest host Rebecca Roberts about the incident and why she is so steadfastly working to upend the gender-based restrictions. Read more »
The Shas party's newspaper
Yom Leyom recently featured a front-page story that the party's "next battle" was an "NIS 800 monthly mortgage reimbursement for every young couple." That would be a nice gift for the young pair, amounting to NIS 9,600 annually for 20 years. And it prompts a question about the generosity washing over the Housing and Construction Ministry, headed by Ariel Atias of Shas. Read more »
Israel's decision to cooperate with a U.N. probe into the Turkish flotilla incident signals a tactical shift on dealing with U.N. investigations of its actions and comes after two months of the Jewish state resisting calls for an international inquiry. Read more »
In one of the more curious twists in Israeli politics, prominent figures on Israel's right wing have begun pushing for a one-state solution with Israelis and Palestinians as equal citizens with full voting rights. Read more »
Holding Shabbatons for non-Jewish Poles is one of the ways Jewish life is being presented in Polish cities and towns with no Jews but plenty of negative ideas about the Jewish people. Read more »
"We welcome the planned construction of the Cordoba House mosque and community center in Lower Manhattan. Although we fully recognize the strong sentiments that have characterized the debate over the center, we strongly believe that Cordoba House's presence will reflect our nation's historic commitment to religious liberty." Read full release »
This week's Court decision on Prop 8 (California's gay marriage ban) was a vital step toward true marriage equality. Visit the RAC's LGBT resource page for more information about the fight for equal and civil rights, and ways you can get involved. Read more »
Join musician Craig
Taubman, creator of Jewels of Elul, for an hour of interactive
study and exploration. Led by Union Specialists Cantor Alane Katzew and
Rabbi Sue Levi Elwell, Welcoming Elul: Spiritual Preparations for the Days of Awe (taking place on August 11, 2010 at 3pm) is the first in a four-part series of Union webinars to help you prepare for and celebrate the High Holy Days. Read more » Sign up for Jewels of Elul »
A Faithful Heart
takes the reader on a spiritual journey into the fascinating text
Maaseh Avraham Avinu, a compilation of the midrashic sources
about Abraham, the first acknowledged Jew. Providing his own translation
and commentary, Rabbi Levy has assembled an excellent midrashic study of
Abraham's character that will offer the opportunity to examine the themes
related to the High Holy Days, such as teshuvah, belief in God, the efficacy of prayer, and making ethical choices. Read more »
NFTY's Kutz Camp celebrates 45 years of music and magic on August 13-14, and you're invited to join. A remarkable array of alumni from each generation will be on hand to re-create the soundtrack of our collective experiences. Keep the music alive with Dan Nichols, Josh Nelson, Peri Smilow, Kol B'seder, Doug Mishkin, Beth Schafer and more! Read more »
NFTY regional programs bring youth groups from across the region together for Jewish enrichment and hands-on experiential programming. Registration is open now for fall events happening across North America! Read more »
At times like this -- in
fact, especially at times like this -- I find myself searching for common
threads that bind me to those who are known as ultra-Orthodox or
Haredi ("God fearing") Jews. I find myself asking: What do I admire in those whose Jewish practice and belief are, in so many ways, radically different from my own? Read more »
A Midrash tells us that when God first says, Thou shalt not seethe the kid in its mother's milk, Moses turns to him and asks, "You mean no meat and dairy on the table at the same time?" God replies, Thou shalt not seethe the kid in its mother's milk. Moses thinks for a minute, then inquires, "You mean we need two sets of dishes?" God thunders, Thou shalt not seethe the kid in its mother's milk. Now Moses tries again, "You mean we have to wait six hours after eating meat until we can have dairy?" And God sighs, "All right, do it your way." Read more »
While parents may make a commitment to raise a child only in Judaism, there may still be an influence of other religious traditions even when it is not the plan to raise them in that tradition. So what can we do to help make interfaith parents and their children more comfortable? Read more »
URJ Books and Music: A Faithful Heart: Preparing
for the High Holidays
Multimedia: 