Criticism of Israel and Antisemitism: How to Tell Where One Ends and the Other Begins

by Rabbi Jill Jacobs
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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Tisha B’Av: Making Reparations after Churban

by Rabbi Lynn Gottleib
It is not enough to mourn. Mourning must be accompanied by actions that end the harm being done. 
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Beha’alotecha: Keeping the Fire Lit: Book Bans and Human Rights

by Rabbi Simone Schicker
The lights of the menorah in the Mishkan, and in the Temple, led to the ner tamid (eternal light) in our sanctuaries, and to our understanding that each one of us is a light too.
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Taking to the Streets: A Checklist for Action

by Assembled by T'ruah
A working document based upon guides from PG Watkins of The BlackOUT Collective and Frontline Election Defenders Tefillat HaDerech (The Travelers’ Prayer): May it be Your will, our God and God of our ancestors, that You lead us in peace and direct our steps in peace, and guide us in peace, and support us in...
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Two Decades Later

by Albert Fox Cahn and Zachary Silver
Two decades later, it is easier to see how we were tempted by the idols of that time, but it is still hard to recognize the idols of today. We remember the sheer panic of 19 years ago, and how we longed for someone — anyone — to make us feel safe again. Those who told us that we need only sacrifice a bit of our liberty for safety often gave us neither. Looking back, we remember just how hollow those promises were.
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Torah Against Incitement

In December 2015, T’ruah organized Jewish communities and individuals to study this text over Shabbat, as a response to incitement against activists in Israel. It is a talk given by Rabbi Aharon Lichtenstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Har Etzion and a major figure in the Orthodox movement, in the wake of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak...
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Freedom of Speech in Jewish Tradition

by Rabbi Lev Meirowitz Nelson
Freedom of speech is an ancient Jewish value, as well as a keystone of democracy. Even if we find certain speech distasteful or disruptive, we all lose when we attempt to quash such speech—as long as it does not rise to the level of inciting violence. Boycotts have long been defined as a form of...
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The Essential Human Right

by Rabbi Evan Moffic
“Sticks and stones,” the nursery rhyme says, “may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The intent of this pithy statement is probably to help children solve disputes with words rather than physical violence. Its message does, however, raise serious doubts. Words can and do hurt us. Words can trivialize, words can insult,...
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Net Neutrality: The Torah of the Donkey

by Dr. Raysh Weiss
In this week’s Torah portion, parashat Balak, we read the story of the mighty Moabite king Balak, who wants to hire the prophet Bil’am to curse the children of Israel. Balak places increasing pressure upon Bil’am, first through Moabite and Midianite elders, and then through elite princes. Both times Balak sends esteemed men, but God...
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