The light of Hanukkah this year is engulfed in a cloud of pain and sorrow. In her song “Kad Ha-kemaḥ” (The Pitcher of Flour”), Naomi Shemer portrays a fabulous scene in the story of Elijah the Prophet. The hungry, wandering prophet, wrapped in his sorrow, believes that the pitcher of flour will not be depleted […]
Responding to the Torah’s passage about the Temple menorah, the Sages wonder: How can it be that in the most sacred place one must light lamps? After all, the Torah tells us that “the Glory of the Eternal filled the tabernacle [mishkan]” (Exod. 40:24, 25) — that is, the Blessed Holy One, who is the […]
Hanukkah’s Eternal Message of Hope and Resilience Still Burns Brightly BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS The remarkable and miraculous story of Hanukkah offers more than a historical commemoration. In a year marked by soaring antisemitism and existential challenges to Israel, it reminds us of the enduring strength of the Jewish spirit and the ability […]
In our parashah, we encounter the story of the ketonet passim, the “coat of many colors” (in the King James translation) that Jacob made for Joseph, the garment that brought about the rift between Joseph and his brothers — a rift that led let to tremendous violence. Many years later, Meir Ariel (a 20th c. […]
Hostage Nightmare Continues Amid Rays of Hope BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – VOICES – MYTHS & FACTS – STORIES “Blessed are You, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sets captives free.” This Jewish blessing, recited in morning prayers, has carried even more profound meaning since the 10/7 Hamas attack on Israel. This […]
This Shabbat, as we read the story of Shechem raping Dina, communities across Israel will be dedicating this Shabbat to Dina and her legacy that calls on us to address sexual violence. Dina’s story is an important cautionary tale –in that it reminds us that sexual violence is perpetrated against those close to us, and […]
Burned, Beaten, Hunted: Jews Face Intensifying Violence BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – STORIES Attacks Against Christians and Jews in America Two Kindergarten children were shot and critically injured while playing on their school’s playground in northern California, by a man claiming false ‘genocide’ about Israel’s role in Gaza. This attack is one in a series of […]
Bridging Dreams and Reality Jacob dreams the first dream in the Torah. He is alone, the sun is setting, and the light is waning. In that dream Jacob understands that he is not alone, and he finds renewed strength to shape reality for the better. Our dreams shape who we are, and our realities shape […]
by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD | President of Mercaz Olami (Representing the global Masorti/Conservative movement) Expressions of Zionism have continued to proliferate throughout the Conservative movement in recent decades. In my synagogue — where I served as senior rabbi from 1979 to 2021, the Israeli flag stood on the bimah side-by-side with the American flag. The Prayer […]
Cover Blown: Targeting ‘Zionists’ is Targeting Jews BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – IN MEMORIAM – ACTIONS – STORIES This week’s edition dedicated in memory of American-Israeli hostage Cpt. Omer Maxim Neutra, 21, murdered on Oct. 7, 2023. His body remains in Gaza. Amid a widespread climate of hatred toward Jews, particularly on university campuses, UCLA […]