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. […]
by Rabbi Alan Silverstein, PhD | President of Mercaz Olami (Representing the global Masorti/Conservative movement) Amid the collapse of the Assad dictatorship in Syra, Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed that “the portion of the Golan Heights occupied and annexed by Israel” would permanently remain under Israeli control. 1. Did Israel acquire the Golan Heights in the context of […]
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 […]
Happy Hanukkah from MERCAZ USA! Please enjoy this Hanukkah Playlist we have compiled. You can listen to a preview here. Click the ‘Listen on Amazon Music‘ link to sign into your Amazon account and listen to the entire playlist!
“Do not reach out your hand against the lad.” (Gen. 22:12) We are living in an insane reality in which we wake up each morning in anxiety, fearful of hearing news media telling us they “are now authorized to make public” news of yet another casualty of war and terrorism. The Hebrew poet Hayyim Guri, […]