Democracy Resources

Purim Reminds Us Rights Shouldn’t Be Tied to the Whims of Rulers

A D’var Torah for Purim by Rabbi Micah Buck-Yael As a Queer and Trans Jew, Purim has long held a special place in my heart as a holiday that envisions a world in which oppression can be turned upside down, in which coming out can be liberatory and world-changing, and miracles come to life through...

Photo of the author, Rabbi Tova Leibovic-Douglas

Rosh Chodesh Adar: Turning Grief to Joy as Resistance

Adar is a month that invites us into an ancient, collective experience. It calls us to cultivate joy, even when we do not feel it naturally. Our ancestors knew there would be Adars when joy was hard to find, yet they committed themselves to honor the spirit of the month, to dare to seek joy even in the hardest times.

Capitol Building at sunset

“May We Create a Nation”: A New Prayer for Our Country

From Rabbi Seth Goldstein: We know that this is a nation founded by massacre, built by slavery, maintained by exclusion, defined by inequality. And we also know that this nation promises equality, exercises resilience, evolves continuously, practices teshuvah.

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Where we go from here

by Frankie Sandmel and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed
A d’var Torah for Pesach by T’ruah rabbinic intern Frankie Sandmel and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. This d’var Torah is based on Dr. El-Sayed’s remarks on the T’ruah webinar on March 18, 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic will, without doubt, be at the center of all our Passovers. No matter how you mark the holiday, the impact...
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COVID-19 Seder Supplement

by Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson et al
The supplement offers a discussion activity for the Four Children and a reading to deepen the significance of opening the door for Elijah.
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The Sacrificial Artform

by Ruby Namdar
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

by Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie
In this d'var Torah for Parshat Vayikra, Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie examines our ancient tools for healing transgressions.
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And they Assembled

by Rabbi Tamara Cohen
A prayer for Shabbat Vayakhel-Pekudei 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Restoring the Dignity of Refugees Should Be Part of Living in a Democracy

by Sabrina Lustgarten
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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What’s So Bad About the Golden Calf?

by Daniel Handler
In this d'var Torah for Parshat Ki Tisa, Daniel Handler struggles with symbols that become more important than morals.
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Prayer for Healing During COVID-19

by Rabbi Guy Austrian
Harachaman, Compassionate One, You are “rofeh chol basar umafli la’asot,” healer of bodies, who does wondrous deeds. The wondrous bodies that You have made for us now feel more fragile. The openings by which we perceive Your world now feel more vulnerable. We are anxious and frightened by the uncertainty of what is to come....
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Great Leaders Know When To Step Back

by Maharat Rori Picker Neiss
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

by Caroline Rothstein
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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