When Moshe approaches Pharaoh, he must feel a sea of emotions. He returns to the house that banished him, to those who oppressed his people for hundreds of years. It would be understandable if Moshe dreamt of revenge–if not for himself, then for his enslaved people. But Moshe brings neither his personal interests nor his […]
January 4, 2024 His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres Secretary-General of the United Nations 760 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017 Cc: Ms. Sima Sami Bahous Executive Director, UN Women 405 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017 Cc: Ms. Ana Peláez Narváez Chairperson, Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women […]
by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD Day after day, news reports document Israeli air strikes against Hamas targets inside Gaza. Pro-Hamas demonstrators gain coverage by disrupting airports, Christmas tree lightings, Jewish institutional life. Anti-Israel politicians and civic leaders conduct headlining protests. To the consumer of current events, concern mounts that American citizens will turn against the […]
BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – VOICES – STORIES MAKING NEWS ================================================ It has been 100 days since the lives of Jews and Israelis were changed forever, traumatized by the heinous atrocities committed by the Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists on 10/7. The effects of the attacks are still being felt by American Jews and Israelis […]
The Masorti Movement, NOAM, and our kehillot run various activities to help those affected by the war in Gaza, from spiritual and physical assistance to evacuees to providing chairs for shiva houses, from preparing meals for soldiers to programming for evacuee children. We have initiated programming based on information available during the first days of […]
“Take My people, the Children of Israel, out from Egypt.” That is the order that Moses receives from God at the burning bush. To be the sole leader, the liberator. Who would pass up such an honor? And yet Moses refuses. He says to God: “Who am I that I should go?” And what happens […]
BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – VOICES – STORIES MAKING NEWS ================================================ Israelis and Americans – Jews and non-Jews – become a formidable force when they unite against threats. In the face of challenges, this unity becomes powerful proof of strength derived from diversity – transcending religious and cultural boundaries. Israel’s cultural mosaic promotes […]
Jacob’s blessings, instructions and prophecies to his children and King David’s instructions to Solomon before he dies (this week’s Haftarah) feels extra poignant to me this year in which both my parents passed. It has led me to think … If I were to create my own Pirke Avot, with advice that I inherited from […]
This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with Mercaz USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. Mercaz USA recognizes […]
At the beginning of this week’s parashah (Vayyigash), Joseph and his brothers recall the arguments and tensions between them, and express remorse for the suffering they’d caused their aged father, now 130 years old. In their moments of reconciliation, we witness their profound emotions and the responsibility that they come to own. Joseph implores his […]