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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 in Leadership and Conflict (Parshat Korach)
Conflict is an element of leadership. As the ultimate example of rebellion among the Israelites the core question is this: How are we to deal with conflict when — not if — it arises?
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Every Person Counts? (Parshat Bamidbar)
Commentary on Parshat Bamidbar (Numbers 1:1-4:20) Our Torah portion opens with the taking of another census of B’nai Yisrael – the Children of Israel – this time “listed by their clans, ages 20 years and up, all those in Israel who are able to bear arms…” (Num. 1:2) This is census number three since the...
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Sickness and Sin (Parshat Tazria)
Commentary on Parshat Tazria (Leviticus 12:1-13:59) In the world of Tazria, scaly, raw, and oozing pustules called tzara’at erupt on the skin and spread impurity through the camp. Those who suffer from this illness are isolated. The word used in Leviticus to describe this skin ailment is nega, which specifically means a plague sent by...
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Kedoshim: Love the Stranger as Yourself
On a recent Sunday, I was invited to preach at a neighboring Episcopalian church. This church is unusual in that its members are a mixture of English and Spanish speakers. The vast majority of the Spanish speakers are undocumented immigrants and their children. My congregation has been working with this church community to support and, if...
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Expanding Ourselves Inward
The Passover story recognizes that the journey to freedom involves struggle and suffering. In the midst of our most joyous celebration we acknowledge the pain our liberation caused for others by taking wine out of our cups as we recite the ten plagues. It teaches us that the lesson of compassion is inextricably linked to...
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Opening the Door at Passover
At the first Passover, we marked our doorposts with the blood of a sacrificial lamb to protect us from the Angel of Death (Exodus 12:23). Although that was a one-time ritual, doors continue to be a central symbol of the holiday. It is a symbol that seems more relevant than ever in an age when nativism...
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Dealing With Guilt, Getting Closer To Hope
“Some are guilty, all are responsible.” – Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel What are we to do about our guilt? How do we take responsibility? Opportunities to feel guilty are everywhere these days. Simply opening Facebook or turning on the television brings us face to face with terrible tragedies and injustices caused by human failures and...
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This Torah Has No Room For Hatred
Like all congregational rabbis, I frequently give eulogies for the deceased, and walk with their families to bury them. Jewish tradition prioritizes remembering the dead. It is a mitzvah gedolah—a great mitzvah—to give a eulogy that breaks the hearts of the listeners and highlights the praiseworthy deeds deceased, while simply forgetting his or her failings....
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