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Spinoza and the Philosophical Impossibility of a Chosen People
Jewish chosenness is not a metaphysical reality. It derives from the conditions of a particularly prosperous period in Israelite history.
Conditional Divorce
The husband may grant a conditional divorce if he expects to be in mortal danger.
Contemporary Wedding Issues
An overview of contemporary issues encountered in Jewish marriage: same-sex marriages, egalitarianism, prenuptial agreements, etc.
Coming Out
This ceremony ritually celebrates the moment that homosexuals, bisexuals, or transsexuals publicly declare their sexual identities.
Celebrating Aging
The author shares the process of using Jewish texts and customs to celebrate a new stage of life.
Jews & Globalization
Jews (not surprisingly) fall on different sides of the issue, but Jews and Israel have also been the target of anti-globalization anger.
Can A Woman Initiate Jewish Divorce Proceedings?
Under certain circumstances a woman may request that a Jewish court compel the husband to perform the acts required for a Jewish divorce.
Contemporary Activism to Save Agunot
An activist for agunot traces her development from demonstrator to promoter of prenuptial agreements that help protect women in the event of a divorce.
Potential Solutions to the Agunah Problem
Orthodox and Conservative rabbis have worked to create solutions within the Jewish framework, including prenuptial agreements and retroactive annulment.
The Divorced-Parent Family & the Synagogue Community
When the synagogue is welcoming, the newly divorced begin to overcome their inhibitions about reconnecting to the Jewish community.
Prenuptial Agreements: A Good Solution to a Difficult Problem
Prenuptial marriage protection agreements that accord with halakhah, or Jewish law, can help secure a woman's freedom to remarry in case of a divorce.