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Maury Kelman

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Apr 6, 2025, 5:26 AM

A Jewish Guide to Sports

As I write this, there are still many runners in the Jerusalem Marathon pounding down the street outside our apartment, accompanied by pulsating music since about 6:30 AM (“Gooooood Morning, Jeruuuusalem”). While some in the religious community might look...

Jun 5, 2024, 10:42 AM

The Most Important Day of the Year?

What is the most important day in the Jewish calendar? In a recent survey of dental hygienists from Des Moines, four out of five chose Yom Kippur, which is a fine choice, but I want to introduce an alternate...

Nov 24, 2022, 11:09 AM

A very Jewish Thanksgiving

'The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth,' by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe, 1914, Pilgrim Hall Museum, Plymouth, Massachusetts. (Wikipedia)

Was it Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hanukkah, or the First Fruits offering that inspired the American day of gratitude? We can't be sure, but the similarities are clear

Nov 25, 2021, 10:18 AM

Thanksgivukkah Part II?

While Hanukkah, which begins Sunday evening, November 28, may not be as famous or all pervasive as that other holiday that takes place in December (that’s right, Boxing Day), its message burns bright when the nights are longest and...

Apr 16, 2021, 6:21 AM

Israel’s Greatest Natural Resource

Following the powerful commemoration of Yom HaZikaron, when we paid homage to some 24,000 righteous people killed while defending and living in Israel, the country turns to the great celebration of Yom HaAtzmaut . Whereas Yom HaZikaron commemorates many...

Nov 4, 2020, 3:04 PM

Lord Balfour and Armageddon

As we have focused on America’s calm and most pedestrian of elections for quite some time, it was easy to forget that yesterday, November 2nd, was one of the most significant days in modern Jewish history. I refer, of...

Jan 21, 2019, 8:44 PM

Tu Bishvat and MLK Day: What a great pear

While many Jews have never heard of Tu Bishvat, many of those who have heard of it know it only as a Jewish Arbor Day, or perhaps the Jewish Groundhog Day, when we’re promised another six weeks of winter...

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About Me

Maury Kelman is a rabbi and attorney, chairman of Kedma, rabbi of Congregation Agudath Achim and also oversees Route 613, a halakhic conversion program.