Posted by in glbt, judaism, tikkun olam, Torah Commentary This is an important Review of the New book The Sacred Encounter: Jewish Perspectives on Sexuality. It is edited by Rabbi Dr. Lisa Grushcow of Montreal, Canada. It is published by the CCAR Press . I have two chapters in this collection one on Taharat HaMishpacha-family purity and another on the history of LGBT inclusion within…Read more »
Posted by in Israel, Torah Commentary This week’s Torah portion Ki Tavo gives the Israelites explicit instructions having to do with entering and living in the land of Israel. There are specific rituals outlined to ensure that this group that has been a nomadic tribe for almost 40 years be tied to the holy land of Eretz Yisrael. The Israelites are…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized Domestic Violence is out of the closet. The graphic video of NFL player Ray Rice slamming a knock-out punch directly to the face of his wife in a casino elevator is causing our country and the world to discuss a terrible and wide-spread problem of Domestic Violence. Most often this violence is men hitting women.…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized In Southern California early September is still hot. Sizzling hot. The drought we are experiencing in much of the west gets worse by the hour. It is a true emergency. Many people are experiencing sky high water bills because the Water Department has raised rates so much. It makes oil seem cheap. Recently I pulled…Read more »
The news seems grim. With deep sadness another journalist is murdered by ISIS. This time we mourn Steven Satloff who was beheaded in a horrific video like his fellow prisoner and journalist James Foley. Steven Satloff grew up in Miami, Florida at Temple Beth Am. He was a Reform Jew. He went to Jewish Day…Read more »
Posted by in judaism The new month of Elul began on Monday night of this week. Elul is the last month of 5774 and with its arrival we start to turn our hearts and minds and souls toward the High Holy Days. In some synagogues the shofar is sounded each morning during daily worship. In other communities, special meditations,…Read more »
Posted by in judaism More on my summer trip to Berlin and Prague from the perspective of a fellow traveler. Andrew Berger is the chair of the Board of Governors of Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion and an important leader in the North American Jewish community Honoring Rabbi Regina Jonas and Judaism’s Pioneering Women Rabbis | Hebrew…Read more »
Posted by in judaism Tonight at sundown begins Rosh Chodesh Elul. This is the last month of 5774. Traditionally, the beginning of this month signals our turn toward the High Holy Days and the process of Repentance. During this month we are to take an accounting-of our sins and transgressions during the last year. How honest were we? Did…Read more »
Posted by in judaism Friends, I am so excited to announce the publication next week of the new book “Lights in the Forest” by CCARPress. Edited by Rabbi Paul Citrin, I have contributed to this important anthology which has several essays about theological and philosophical questions. This time of year as we prepare for the Jewish High Holy Days…Read more »
Posted by in Uncategorized @USATODAY shame on ur headline writer. Hamas/Terrorists launched attack against Israel and broke the ceasefire. Not Israel. #IsraelUnderFire
Walking Humbly. Seeking Justice. Living with Hope. 