Shabbat

Shabbat Is Not Orthodox

We are a diverse Jewish community. We hold different views on Israel. We have different understandings of Torah. There are ...

The Challenge of Modern Jewish Practice (or An Elul Apology)

The phone rang loudly in our house. My middle son jumped up and dashed to get it, picked up the ...

A Powerful Woman

As this summer, and this Jewish year wind down, I’m completing the painting and writing for my fourth illuminated book ...

Would Oliver Sacks Call Himself “Religious”?

Oliver Sacks is one of the most respected scientists today. The author of many best-selling books on the brain, he ...

The Mystery of Those Mini Kiddush Cups

I’ve made Kiddush in synagogue social halls countless times. Most of my life I stood there holding a humble plastic ...

Weekend at the Beach

In the Beginning, the friendship of three rabbis was created and nurtured at an annual Rabbis Without Borders alumni retreat.My plan was to enjoy a ...

Summer with the Hasidim: An Encounter with Jewish Pluralism

I have a secret to share. Some of the most nonjudgmental and welcoming Jews I have ever met have been ...

Praying For My Children After Charleston

Week after week, I light two small candles. I move behind my children and put one hand on each of ...

(Rock) Climbing to the World to Come

A few months ago, even though I’m afraid of heights, I joined the local rock gym. No, I had never ...

Crossing the Bridge

We are walking along a busy, suburban street that runs mostly parallel to the highway connecting our town to the ...