language

Should the F-word Be Off Limits for Rabbis?

At that moment I felt utterly violated, encroached upon. I know that it sounds like I am exaggerating but I ...

Words Matter

Last night, as the Republican debate began, a Facebook friend wrote that she was having her own internal debate about ...

Pronouns as a Jewish Value

Preferred Gender Pronouns:  a phrase that confuses people who haven’t heard it before. To many, pronouns seem fixed. How could ...

It’s the Little Things

Today’s post from Keshet Board member Carson Gleberman offers advice from parents of LGBTQ children. If you’re looking for more support, check ...

Is Gentile “Genteel”? (Or, What Should We Call People Who Aren’t Jewish?)

The other day, we had an extended discussion around the office about the proper term to use to refer to ...

You Say “Crawfish.” He Says “Crawdad.” I Say “What’s That?”

As our Monday post indicated, it’s that time of year when we have new staff starting at the ISJL. During ...

Debating the Term “Concentration Camp”

In my blog posts this week I have written about the Kodachrome slides that Bill Manbo took while imprisoned with ...

Speaking Backwards

I’ve been told that students in my college courses sometimes have trouble following what I’m saying because I speak backwards. ...