Karen Reiss Medwed, at The Blogs

Oct 28, 2024, 6:16 AM

My Vote is Not a Prayer, It is a “Kanahara”

At the first night of the DNC, Senator Reverend Warnock preached that, "A vote is a kind of prayer for a world we desire for ourselves." This charming sentiment was fast to catch on, especially in clergy circles, where...

Oct 17, 2024, 11:43 PM

In the wake of Sinwar’s death, Where are the Upstanders?

The news broke over the first day of the Sukkot holiday of the death of Sinwar, leader of the terrorist organization Hamas, and architect of the devastating horror of October 7th, 2023. Many commentators will offer much on the...

Oct 6, 2024, 2:12 PM

The Monster at the End of the Book

I grew up reading Grover's charming book, "The Monster at the End of the Book," and in turn read it to my children. The premise was innocent, that there are no monsters, just cuddly grover. But this week, and...

Jul 10, 2024, 9:30 PM

Nine Months and the Blessings of AI Continue

Nine months have passed since I last wrote a piece for TOI. A nine month pause in creating, a nine month pause for advocacy for the hostages, for anguish and angst. During these nine months I have found myself,...

Dec 18, 2023, 1:58 PM

Coming Home

Taking off is both so familiar and normal and so incredibly not the same. Tomer at passport control asked - so why are you going to Israel. And I thought - wow the ultimate existential question. As to who am...

Sep 20, 2023, 5:48 PM

For the Sin of A.I. Manipulation

And so may it be, that with AI coded for the purpose of increasing justice and sanctity in our world, that we might repair inequities and celebrate with the blessings of AI nurturing a life of goodness, a life...

Sep 14, 2023, 2:29 PM

Simanim, New Signs, To Eat for a Sweet New Year!

Look, said my grandfather z”l, to me, pointing to a shiny penny on the street. Pick it up, he encouraged me. And at that moment, he introduced me to the idea of good omens that come our way. This...

Sep 4, 2023, 2:41 PM

Tuesday the Rabbi Went to PTA

May this be a sweet new year of learning for all our children, and for all of us, and may we all have the opportunity to study, to teach, to observe, and to practice. I don’t know about you, but...

Aug 29, 2023, 4:14 PM

All I Needed to Learn About Jewish Parenting, I Learned at Summer Camp

A real-life story in two parts Part One “Stop!” The shout came from my oldest daughter while we were in a large supermarket, walking down the cereal aisle. She was standing in front of a display of sugar cereals, and having...

Aug 17, 2023, 8:29 PM

Pursue Justice, Not a Religious War on Women

We must learn to celebrate our collective diversity and recognize Sh’china who dwells amidst us, as we celebrate Rosh Hodesh Elul during these divisive times. “Girls go sit in the back of the bus,” “Be as passive as you can,” “Women...

About Me

Rabbi Karen G Reiss Medwed, Ph.D. is Teaching Professor Emerita at Northeastern University and Interim Vice Provost, Academic Affairs and Initiatives, Hebrew Union College. The the only certified practicing female identifying mesadder gittin in the Conservative movement, she is an appointed member of the Joint Bet Din of the Rabbinical Assembly, a member of the CJLS and a member of the Rabbinical Assembly executive council. She is an elected Trustee of her local school district Board of Education.

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