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Oct 20, 2018, 12:45 AM

Learning from God, Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, Ishmael about Immigration and Refugees

I’ve always been bothered by the behavior of Sarah and Abraham in this week’s Torah reading. And curious why this story of the expulsion of Abraham’s second wife Hagar and his first child Ishmael is read not only as...

Oct 18, 2018, 9:22 PM

Fabric of American Jewish Life Has New Stitch for YP’s!

Rosh Hashana 2018, Rabbi Scott Hoffman, new to Yardley’s Beth El Congregation, gave his first High Holiday sermon, then announced from the Bima, “young adults are invited to join me for a 10-Minute Meet-Up around the Israel ShoeBox.” He...

Alexander I. Poltorak

Oct 8, 2018, 6:20 PM

Shabbat Bereshit – Past, Present, and Future

In the last post, Tishrei—Past, Present, and Future, we discussed how all Tishrei holidays – Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simchat Torah – are connected by the same thread of time and, more specifically, the unification of past, present,...

Alexander I. Poltorak

Oct 3, 2018, 8:15 AM

Tishrei — Past, Present, and Future

The months of Tishrei is full of holidays, and they all share a common theme -- the unification of time—past, present, and future. It all starts with Rosh HaShanah. Traditionally translates as the New Year, it literally means the Head...

Oct 1, 2018, 1:55 PM

How Muslim Refugees in Berlin Helped Me Celebrate Yamim Noraim

Amir Kashfi, IsraAID’s intern in Berlin, reflects on the Jewish High Holy Days while volunteering with asylum-seekers in refugee camps.

Sep 28, 2018, 12:00 PM

Bilvavi, the tribes, and the connection of us all

NEW ART PROJECT in memory of Ari Fuld dedicated to the Fuld Family: Tribes. The Sons of Israel. Bilvavi: In-My-Heart Since I have heard Bilvavi for the first time in mid-2000s, the song took its place in my heart. I do rate...

Michael S. Diamond

Sep 26, 2018, 7:33 AM

Some Assembly Required: Vayelech

A symphony of curses! Ram Nissan still found it hard, in spite of having seen the sweetness shining from Moshe’s face, to hear the endless litany of imprecations levied at the Jewish people as they stood willingly at the...

Sep 25, 2018, 6:51 PM

Well, I Gotta Have Faith

It’s been 47 years. 47 years of temple on the High Holy Days. 47 years of the same prayers. Granted, I didn’t really know what was going on the first few years of infancy and toddlerdom, but it’s still been a while. And...

Sep 23, 2018, 1:05 PM

Sukkot: What is your heart’s desire?

Illustrative. Etrogs (citrons) growing. (Official website of the City of Menton, France)

After the deep spiritual introspection of the High Holidays, a harvest festival feels incongruous, especially if you're not a farmer

Sep 21, 2018, 12:02 PM

My new parenting goal: To be like God

Illustrative. A family in silhouette. (iStock)

From toilet training to conversations about consensual sex, my 6 kids need different kinds of love and attention

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