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“Zionism from Love and Zionism from Hate”: Rabbi Moshe Avigdor Amiel’s Challenge for Our Times
Rabbi Jill Jacobs explores how Rabbi Moshe Avigdor Amiel's words might form the basis for a new approach to Zionism and to Israel that can lead us toward a political solution.
Yom HaAtzma’ut: A Resource for Educators
This resource is designed to be adaptable for year-round use, offering educational tools, programs, and texts that support ongoing learning within your community.
Why T’ruah Opposes Codifying the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism
T'ruah is committed to fighting antisemitism and to ensuring the safety, wellbeing, and vibrancy of the Jewish people. It is because of this commitment that we oppose any effort to codify definitions of antisemitism into policy or law, including the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s definition of antisemitism.
Lessons for Democracy from the Holocaust
A d’var Torah for Yom HaShoah. In many respects, World War II seemed like a triumph of democracy. When the Allies defeated the Axis powers, the world celebrated that democratic nations had been victorious against fascism. On May 8, 1945, Victory Day, Americans danced in the streets and threw confetti from the rooftops to celebrate...
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The Sacrificial Artform
In this d'var Torah for Parshat Tzav, novelist Ruby Namdar reflects on the power of sacrifice and sacrificial imagery.
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Everybody Hurts: Learning from Leviticus to Reclaim Public Ritual Repentance
In this d'var Torah for Parshat Vayikra, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie examines our ancient tools for healing transgressions.
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Restoring the Dignity of Refugees Should Be Part of Living in a Democracy
Sabrina Lustgarten, Country Director for HIAS in Ecuador, writes that Parshat Vayakhel emphasizes "the importance of harmonizing wills to achieve a common good."
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Great Leaders Know When To Step Back
Parshat Tetzaveh is perhaps most noteworthy in the Torah for what it lacks: any mention of the name of Moses.
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When We Make Art Together, We Dream a Better World Into Existence
A d’var Torah for Terumah (Ex.25:1-27:19) by Caroline Rothstein. I am an artist. That’s been my identity, purpose, and path since I was three years old and slid on ballet shoes to dance across a recital stage. Then came poetry. And nonfiction prose. Then came singing, acting, musical theater, jazz and modern and hip-hop dance,...
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Choosing a Life-Giving Narrative
In this week’s d’var torah on Parshat Mishpatim, Judith Plaskow notes that it is easy to focus on those passages in the Torah that are inspiring and uplifting, or to depict US history as a continuing march toward equality and freedom, passing over in silence the aspects of both narratives that are troubling or oppressive.
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T’ruah FAQ on the U.N. Database of Businesses that Operate in Israeli Settlements
The U.N. released a database of 112 businesses currently operating in West Bank settlements, which are considered illegal according to international law.
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Tefillat HaDerekh from Montgomery, Alabama
Written during the T’ruah delegation to the Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace and Justice, January 26-28, 2020 Rabbi Nina H. Mandel Bo Bo el Par’oh Come after the oppressor Join the trouble Muster your strength Gird your loins Mobilize your anger Disrupt, disrupt, disrupt Watch for bias Cry out for truth Soften...
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No Shortcuts to Liberation, Alas
In this week's d'var torah on Parshat Shemot, NYC Councilman Brad Lander draws connections between patterns of oppression and resistance then and now.
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