Reform Jewish Leader Speaks at Chinese Embassy as Part of Torch Relay for Darfur
Saperstein: Lights—a symbol of freedom and hope.
Galilee Diary: Seasons greetings
You shall make no covenant with them and their gods. They shall not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me; for you will serve their gods - and it will prove a snare to you.
-Exodus 23:32-33
'Tis the Season
Our rabbis taught: When Adam saw the days getting shorter, he said, "Woe is me, perhaps because of my sin, the world around me is being darkened and returning to chaos; this is my punishment from heaven!" So he began an eight day fast.
Hanukkah Reflects America's Religious Liberty: Vignettes From Montana, Idaho, and Utah
In 1974 in Philadelphia, a small menorah was lit in front of Independence Hall, home to the iconic Liberty Bell. The menorah was crude and made of wood. Five people attended what is now considered to be the first Chabad-Lubavitch public-menorah lighting.
UN Vote Calls Attention to U.S. Absence from Global Fight for Gay Rights
Saperstein: “It is shameful that the United States chose not to be a part of the first UN General Assembly declaration condemning state-sanctioned human rights abuses against LGBT people”
Hanukkah Video Round-Up: Which is Your Favorite?
It's that time of year again: Hanukkah parody video season! We've rounded up some of our favorites, and we want to hear from you: Which Hanukkah song is really spinning your dreidel this year?
In an Interfaith Relationship? Reach Out and Open Up!
Make sure you are helping your partner get what they need.
Saperstein Joins Faith Leaders to Promote ONE Sabbath Initiative
Contact: Kate Bigam or Micaela Hellman-Tincher
202.387.2800 | news@rac.org
Rethinking the Holy Days
I’ve come to the conclusion we need to change the date of Simchat Torah. Our Jewish festivals must be re-envisioned as inspirational community gatherings of joyful spiritual Jewish celebration. Every single festival needs to be a time of great community involvement and meaning.
Every Day is Labor Day
Every day is Labor Day. Jewish tradition expounds the importance of work and those who do it. Even God worked for six days and then rested on Shabbat. The Jewish vision of the messianic era is not an age of idleness, but rather one in which swords become plowshares.