Jonathan Muskat

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Jan 8, 2025, 5:22 PM

Teaching Family Planning: Empowering Students to Navigate Halachic Decisions

This week, I finished teaching my unit on family planning in my twelfth-grade medical ethics elective, where I address sensitive topics such as abortion, fertility treatments, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, organ transplantation, brain death, hazardous medical procedures, and end-of-life care....

Dec 19, 2024, 3:05 AM

Lighting the Way: The True Meaning of Chanukah’s Light

As we approach Chanukah, we are reminded of the light that shines in our lives, both literally and metaphorically. The lighting of the Chanukah candles is a deeply significant ritual, and it offers an opportunity to reflect on the...

Dec 11, 2024, 9:19 PM

A Nation in Mourning: Finding the Balance Between Tragedy and Triumph

As Israel continues to mourn the devastating loss of life and the ongoing crisis caused by the October 7th attacks, it’s clear that this is not a time for celebration. Our hearts remain heavy as we endure the pain...

Dec 5, 2024, 2:58 AM

‘Please do not stop:’ A call to action in times of tragedy

Yesterday, I stood in a line that stretched for hours, waiting for a moment that would last no more than sixty seconds. It was a shiva call, a brief opportunity to express condolences to the family of Omer Neutra,...

Nov 14, 2024, 5:42 AM

Priest or Prophet: How Rabbis Weigh Political Involvement

As we approached the recent elections, the question of whether rabbis should publicly advocate for one political candidate over another sparked much debate. This issue is particularly complex for rabbis who serve congregational communities, where political views may span...

Nov 5, 2024, 3:38 AM

Preparing for the US Presidential Election

There’s been plenty of anxiety over the outcome of a certain contest between two opponents. Who will win? The stakes couldn’t be higher, and for many of us, it’s personal—it’s about our identity, who we are, and what we...

Nov 2, 2024, 3:04 AM

Why American Jews Should Prioritize Israel When Voting in This Election

Each election cycle brings American Jews to a critical question: how should we decide whom to support? Should we prioritize issues uniquely impacting the Jewish community, or broaden our focus to what benefits the country as a whole? Both...

Oct 30, 2024, 8:33 PM

Should we vote based on our own narrow Jewish interests or what’s best for America?

Each election cycle raises the question: how should American Jews decide whom to support? Should we prioritize issues uniquely impacting the Jewish community, or broaden our scope to what benefits the country as a whole? Both perspectives carry substantial...

Oct 7, 2024, 9:03 PM

Processing October 7th with American High School Students

Today, at the high school where I teach, we gathered to commemorate the tragedy of October 7th. As part of the program, we broke into small groups to process our emotions about Israel, antisemitism, and the relentless war on...

Oct 1, 2024, 4:44 AM

The Prayer of Rosh Hashanah

In the silence of the soul, a child whispers, "God, speak to me." A bird sings, yet the child hears nothing. The child yells, "God, speak to me!" Thunder rumbles, but the child does not listen. Desperate, the child...

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About Me

Jonathan Muskat is the Rabbi of the Young Israel of Oceanside.