Avi Weiss, at The Blogs

Mar 5, 2023, 3:59 PM

Aggressive compromise is a sign of strength, not weakness

In the '80s, I was sure the Jewish underground was right. Now I know better: Israel needs both right and left for balance

Dec 29, 2022, 5:04 AM

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Jews do count: Stop anti-Jewish hatred

Hoboken Police officers stand watch outside the United Synagogue of Hoboken, in Hoboken, New Jersey, November 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Ryan Kryska)

I look to political leadership and grassroots activists, to pulpit rabbis and the general public to make so-called antisemitism utterly and always unacceptable

Dec 9, 2022, 7:01 AM

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3 years after Jersey City shooting: This hero’s family deserves US citizenship

Miguel Rodriguez was shot dead as he helped a customer out of the Kosher market and Jews have a responsibility to take care of those he left behind

Mar 24, 2021, 11:30 AM

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Living lessons from the Paschal sacrifice

Cooking the Paschal offering. (via YouTube)

Here are 14 ways to extrapolate from the obscure details of the holiday's animal offering and improve our own behavior

Jan 27, 2021, 11:53 PM

To Rep. Bowman: An Open Response to Your Recent Criticism of Israel

Dear Representative Bowman, I hope this finds you and your family well. Now that you’ve assumed office as our representative, my blessings for your success. I continue, however, to be deeply concerned, upset by your stance on Israel, most recently, your criticism...

Jan 5, 2021, 11:18 PM

Further Reflections on the Rev. Warnock Piece

I want to clarify my purpose in writing my piece on Rev. Warnock. While I have never endorsed a candidate in all my years in the rabbinate, I have always challenged those like Rev. Warnock whose records I see...

Jan 4, 2021, 7:45 AM

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In pain…calling out Senate candidate Rev. Warnock

Raphael Warnock, a Democratic candidate for the US Senate speaks during a rally, November 3, 2020, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson, Pool)

It hurts to raise a voice of Jewish conscience against Democratic candidate in Georgia, but it is something I must do

Sep 17, 2020, 4:38 PM

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The pandemic: Giving new meaning to this year’s High Holidays

Illustrative. Jewish prayer book and shofar. (iStock)

A brief survey of the special prayers of the day, re-interpreted for startling relevance to our contemporary experience of COVID-19

Jun 23, 2020, 12:47 AM

Reply to Dr. Jamaal Bowman’s Response to My Open Letter

In carefully reading over Dr. Jamaal Bowman's response to my open letter, I am more concerned than ever, as is spelled out in my reply to him, below. Dear Dr. Bowman, I hope this response to your letter finds you and...

Jun 10, 2020, 5:18 PM

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Do not cover George’s blood: Breathe out for justice and peace

A protester raises her hands as police start to arrest demonstrators refusing to get off the streets during an imposed curfew while marching in a solidarity rally calling for justice over the death of George Floyd, on June 2, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Wong Maye-E via Jewish News)

For the vast majority, the slogan 'Black Lives Matter' stands apart from any affiliation or organization, which is why I support our Black brothers and sisters in their pain

About Me

Avi Weiss is the founding rabbi of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, Bronx, N.Y., and founder of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah and Yeshivat Maharat rabbinical schools. He is a co-founder of the International Rabbinic Fellowship and longtime Jewish activist for Israel and human rights.