Democracy

ROUNDTABLE: How Can U.S. Jewish Communities Play an Effective Role in Coalition Work to Advance Multiracial Democracy?
A panel of pathbreaking organizers, including Ginna Green, Graie Hagans, Abby Lublin, Megan Black, Matthew David Hom, and Rabbi Aryeh Cohen, PhD, on how Jews can advance multiracial pro-democracy coalitions today.
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Democracy: More Than Just Elections
Rabbi Jill Jacobs explores the wisdom Judaism can offer in building free societies.
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Ekev: When Our Leaders Gaslight Us
The world becomes more dangerous when leaders cannot be trusted and incontrovertible facts are subject to manipulation. Our responsibility, both as leaders and as citizens who elect them, is to value accountability.
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Devarim: Moses’ Opening Rebuke: Choose Your Leaders Wisely
As we travel into the unknown wilderness of our shared future, may we clearly articulate what we need from our leadership and insist that we be led by wisdom, capable experience, and the commitment to equity for all.
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Balak: Bilam’s Donkey: Judaism’s First Emotional Support Animal
As we draw nearer to the November elections, we see constant reminders that our democracy is a work-in-progress. By practicing democracy — working to get out the vote, engaging in conversation, writing letters to the editor — we will make democracy a reality.
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Korach: What Does It Mean to Be a Free People?
A truly free people accepts its covenants without coercion. As we work for a better world, one of true dignity and equality for all, it’s important to remember that.
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Criticism of Israel and Antisemitism: How to Tell Where One Ends and the Other Begins
In this time of inflamed passions, it’s crucial both to ensure that criticism of Israel does not cross the line into antisemitism, and to protect the free speech of those protesting Israel’s actions.
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Mishpatim: Mishpatim in Montana
Mishpatim teaches that formal justice must be free of influence from bribes or wealth status, and that even the stranger deserves protection. In my home state of Montana, regressive laws recently passed in our 2023 state legislature have revoked rights and freedoms from Montana residents under the guise of “protection” and “freedom of speech."
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Ki Tetze: We Cannot Look Away
You may be familiar with the notion about the wounded healer, popularized by the author Henri Nouwen in his book by that name. He asserts: “When we become aware that we do not have to escape our pains, but that we can mobilize them into a common search for life, those very pains are transformed...
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Israel Resources for Clergy: High Holidays 5784
Resources for Jewish clergy preparing to talk and teach about Israel on the High Holidays.
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