This is a head-spinning time for American Jews. For decades now, Jews have played prominent roles in American government. Jews have run on presidential tickets. Jews have been appointed to the Supreme court. Eric Cantor served as the House majority Leader for three and a half years, making him the … READ MORE

I’m always so surprised to learn new tidbits of Jewish history: the centrality of Jews in the history of chocolate and coffee; the theory that Jews are behind the development of the violin (and hence the symphony orchestra); Elvis being a devoted shabbes goi and Judeophile; Wyatt Earp being (common … READ MORE

It is a cornerstone principle of Jewish faith that God created the world and all that is in it. In the kiddush for Shabbat, we state that God gave us Shabbat as a zikaron l’ma’aseh v’reishit / “reminder of the work of creation.” Once a week, we are to reflect … READ MORE

Last Shabbat, I delivered a sermon about the five women characters who are featured in the opening chapters of the Book of Exodus: the two midwives (Shifra and Pu’ah), Yocheved (Moses’ mother), Pharaoh’s daughter, and Miriam. I made the argument that all of them, at great personal risk, moved the … READ MORE

Wednesday’s events in the nation’s capital have sent shockwaves throughout the country. Like me, you have likely been consuming the news, watching the networks, reading op-eds, and generally agonizing over the situation. Among the responses that I have read coming out of the Jewish community, there have been calls to … READ MORE

As an observing Jew, I always find this time of year a little confusing, especially when Chanukah has already passed. We wish each other “Happy Holidays,” which is, for all intents and purposes, a “pareve” way of saying “Merry Christmas.” We say “Happy New Year,” which of course makes sense, … READ MORE

I’ve been focusing a lot this year on the relationship between faith in God and human action. My own belief system, simply put, has us (human beings) endowed with agency – we are actors in our own drama – and we are guided and informed in our actions by the divine – God/Torah. … READ MORE

Chanukah is here! A little light, a little joy for our otherwise blackened moods. Just in time! I am happy and grateful: my family will be all together, I will eat latkes despite my calorie-counting campaign, I will spin dreidels. I most likely will not eat any sufganiyot (jelly donuts – … READ MORE

This week’s parasha tells of a momentous occasion in the history of the Jewish people. On his way back to Canaan after a 20-year sojourn in Haran, the patriarch Jacob wrestles with a man (an angel?) through the night. In the morning, having prevailed over the stranger, Jacob insists that … READ MORE