In response to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, my dear friend and colleague Rabbi Brian Walt and I have organized a new initiative, Ta’anit Tzedek – Jewish Fast for Gaza.
See below for the press release about the project, which is already attracting increasing numbers of supporters, including many rabbis. Click the link above to [...]
Archive for the ‘Judaism’ Category
Jewish Fast for Gaza
Posted in Gaza, Human Rights, International Aid, International Health, Israel, Judaism, Palestine, War on July 10, 2009 | 9 Comments »
Today I am a Man, Tomorrow My Dad Goes Into Solitary Confinement…
Posted in Judaism, Religion on June 11, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This just in on the AP wires:
A convicted scam artist was able to pull off a lavish bar mitzvah for his son featuring kosher catered food and more than 60 guests at a New York City jail.
His accomplices apparently were jail employees, including a chaplain. A Correction Department spokesman confirmed that five staff members were [...]
Holdin’ Down the Line for Hashem
Posted in Judaism, Religion, Sports on May 21, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
You may have seen this one making the rounds lately: former Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman (and Super Bowl champion) Alan Veingrad became Ba’al Teshuvah and is living the life of a seriously observant Jew. (Love the sportscaster’s patter at the end: “he studies, he prays, the whole nine yards…”)
Actually, given the [...]
Passover Awakening
Posted in Judaism, Pesach, Religion, Spirituality on April 15, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Some final Pesach thoughts: a pic, above, from my front garden and a Passover reading from Kol Haneshamah, the Reconstructionist siddur:
Once we were slaves; now we are free.
On this festival of freedom, we celebrate liberation’s redemptive power:
- the awakening of the earth after winter’s dormancy and the first fragile shoots of green thrusting forth from [...]
The Sunshine of Your Love…
Posted in Environmentalism, Judaism, Pesach on April 8, 2009 | 2 Comments »
Celebrated a sublime Birkat Hachamah this morning at JRC. Began with meditation as the sun rose through the east window-wall of our sanctuary, then followed with yoga sun salutations – both led with profound depth of spirit by congregational member Carole Caplan. After this powerful prelude we participated in the Birkat Hachamah service itself (above).
As [...]
Tam Tam Conspiracy Deepens
Posted in Food, Judaism, Pesach on April 6, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Loyal readers of this blog will doubtless remember my report last Pesach on the now infamous “Tam Tam crisis.” Though this year we’ve been assured by Manichewitz that there will be more than enough Tam Tams to go around, I confess I was alarmed when I saw this strange new packaging that now reads: “Passover [...]
Here Comes the Sun…
Posted in Environmentalism, Judaism, Religion on March 27, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
A little-known Jewish ritual is about to make a grand entrance: Birkat Hachama (”Blessing of the Sun”) – which is observed only once every 28 years – will come around on Wednesday, April 8.
Didn’t know about this one? Well get ready because the Jewish world is starting to get sun stroke. (Here at JRC we’re [...]
Green Mosque, Green Shul
Posted in Energy Efficiency, Environmentalism, Green Buildings, Islam, Judaism, Religion on March 10, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Here’s a nice piece that ran on Chicago’s ABC affiliate last January: a feature on JRC’s green building as well as a local mosque that incorporated energy-saving features into their recent renovation. Especially nice that they highlighted two “Abrahamic environmental efforts.” (One snarky correction: it’s Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, not Center).
Jewish Brits Organize for Fair Trade
Posted in Fair Trade, Global Activism, Judaism, Poverty, Religion on March 3, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Kudos to the British Jewish community for mobilizing big time in support of Fair Trade!
Check out their impressive new Jewish Guide to Fair Trade – it has to be the most comprehensive resource of its kind. It’s even more remarkable when you consider that it is the product of a wide-ranging coalition that includes every [...]
This Just In: Fackenheim’s Grandson Declared Treyf
Posted in Israel, Judaism, Religion on February 12, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Sitting down? According to a recent Jerusalem Post report, Yossi Fackenheim, grandson of famed theologian Emil Fackenheim (right) has had his conversion revoked by a Jerusalem Rabbinical Court judge. This is the same Emil Fackenheim, mind you, who survived the Holocaust and who famously urged Jews to transmit their heritage lest they grant Hitler a [...]
