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Richard H. Schwartz

Dec 24, 2024, 10:54 PM

Message to rabbis urging support of plant-based diets

Shalom, dear rabbi, As a respected community leader, you are in an excellent position to help create a habitable, healthy, environmentally sustainable world for future generations in a way that will promote Jewish teachings and significantly enhance the image of...

Dec 21, 2024, 12:47 AM

Chanukah 5785: מַאי חֲנוּכָּה?

For generations, we have heard the Chanukah story of a jar of oil being found in the Temple that was destroyed by the Greeks and that oil lasted for eight days. As a result, Chanukah lasts for eight days....

Dec 11, 2024, 4:19 PM

An Orthodox rabbi’s struggle with pluralism

The diversity of Rutgers Hillel, on October 8, 2023. (via Facebook, used in accordance with clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Real religious disagreements among those who affiliate with different denominations (or none) should not hinder normal interactions. Try talking to each other and see

Vanessa Vanderbilt

Nov 25, 2024, 4:55 PM

Seeing Diverse Jewish Life Globally: Unity Needed

What’s a benefit that people converting to Judaism enjoy? In many cases, we are able to do some of our own exploring, finding our place within this wide religion due to not having any biological family being affiliated with...

Alan Silverstein

Nov 22, 2024, 8:09 AM

Conservative Judaism’s Zionism extends to a presence in Israel

Parallel to expanding Zionist activity among America’s Conservative Jews was the effort to establish a Conservative Jewish presence in Israel. Initially, the movement in Israel was very small, consisting only of Emet V’Emunah, the first Conservative synagogue in the country,...

Alan Silverstein

Nov 8, 2024, 8:56 AM

The Global Zionism of Conservative Judaism — the World Council and MERCAZ

The initial effort to extend Conservative Judaism’s embrace of Zionism beyond the United States was launched by Rabbi Bernard Segal, who served as executive director of United Synagogue of America (later United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism) from 1953 to...

Alan Silverstein

Oct 10, 2024, 6:19 AM

Conservative Judaism’s Zionism from World War II Until Israeli Statehood

Soon after the outbreak of World War II, Jewish Theological Seminary chancellor Dr. Cyrus Adler passed away, and leadership of the JTS and of Judaism’s Conservative Movement was placed into the hands of Rabbi Louis Finkelstein, a JTS graduate...

Steven Windmueller

Oct 7, 2024, 12:19 AM

The Contemporary American Synagogue: High Holy Day Reflections

At this season of our renewal, synagogues are very much in our consciousness. Our sanctuaries hold special meaning for us, especially at this sacred and special time of the year. A 2020 Pew study found that 20% of US Jews...

Oct 1, 2024, 8:15 AM

What Does the Bible Tell Us About Rosh Hashanah?

What does the Bible say about Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah celebrates the beginning of the world, it marks the New Year; it is the beginning of the 10 days of judgment. It is the start of a solemn series of days in which our annual fates, our...

Eric M. Leiderman

Oct 1, 2024, 8:14 AM

Jewish Pride Reborn: A Rosh Hashanah Reflection

Hopeful Renewal: Young Jews Celebrating Identity Proudly

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, the reflective tone of Rosh Hashanah invites us to examine not only our personal lives but also the state of our community, our people, and our future. For me,...

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