Rabbis Without Borders

Rabbis Without Borders is a dynamic forum for exploring contemporary issues in the Jewish world and beyond. Written by rabbis of different denominations, viewpoints, and parts of the country, Rabbis Without Borders is a project of Clal – The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership.

Getting Our B’nei Mitzvah to Understand (and Love) Torah Study

Helping 13-year-olds understand a 3,000-year-old text is challenging, to say the least.After all, trying to glean lessons from the Torah ...

What ‘All-American Muslim’ can teach our Jewish teens

Working with Jewish teenagers, I’ve seen it demonstrated that one very effective way to get them thinking deeply about their ...

Will the Real Chanukah Hero Please Stand Up?

As the eight days of Chanukah wind down, I am thinking of a question I posed as the festival began ...

The Message of Chanukah

Hanukkah has been for as long as I can remember one of my favorite Jewish holidays. Throughout my life different ...

A Maccabeats Miracle

Last Chanukah the world was introduced to the Maccabeats with their runaway hit “Candlelight.” This year another song, “Miracles,” has ...

The Nuts and Bolts of Peace with Iran

“Even if the messiah tarries, nonetheless, I believe and wait for him, but peace with Iran? Impossible.” When I asked ...

What is Hanukah?

“What is Hanukah?”  the Talmud asks and typically each year at this time we are reminded by a variety of ...

Closing the Gender Gap

People often ask me why I decided to become a rabbi. Some would say in a condescending tone, “You want ...

Teaching Our Larger Communities About Chanukah

Last year, just before Chanukah, a reporter for the Austin American-Statesman came to me for some assistance.  Her four-year-old daughter ...

How Transparent Should We Be?

Why Do Infomericals Work?If you ever watch infomercials, you know that what they really sell isn’t just an amazing product ...