With Passover on my mind, it’s worth contemplating that expressing oneself through generosity is an ultimate manifestation of liberation. The Biblical command to have tithing obligations taken care of before Passover could be a concretization of that generous impulse. I’d like to briefly explore what a contemporary, universal tithe might look like, but first a story. In 1965, I was eleven years old and living in Canton, Ohio. We had

If increasing avodah for jewish people is key to future success, how does one explain the rise of Christianity and Islam which got rid of most of the obligations?

Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks held a conference call exclusively for our constituents yesterday, to give them some deep material for their Passover seders. In a close reading of the “Rasha” (the wicked child), Rabbi Sacks explored 4 different interpretations and ideas. Rabbi Sacks has agreed to answer questions posted by April 7, so please post them below once you listen to the recording. Click below to listen:    A global

From left to right: Avi Moshe Miller (Class 23), Avi Narrow-Tilonsky (Class 20), Eitan Bendavid  (Class 20), Mark Goldfeder (Class 20), Noah Cheses (Class 21), Michael Cooper Emerson (Class 23). Not pictured: Shlomo Zuckier (Class 24). “On Sunday March 23rd, I participated in Yeshiva University's quadrennial rabbinic ordination celebration.  The ceremony was filled with uplifting words of Torah that inspired us to take responsibility for the future of the Jewish

As a parent, I value giving my teenage daughters autonomy over their down time.  I believe that they need space to relax, reflect, and develop interests outside of school that will help them grow as individuals.  My children attend a Jewish day school; one that is rich with profound Jewish experiences that enhance their lives and help them solidify their Jewish identities.  So what is the balance between giving them

(Pictured) The four Revutah Fellows with their Leadership Development Consultant at their recent meeting in Jerusalem. When my kids were born I called my rabbi, who led the ceremonies for their brisses and namings.  When my mom passed away I called my rabbi, who met with our family and led us through the process of a funeral and shivah.  When my daughter got engaged I called my rabbi, who married

When King Faisal I came to Iraq in 1925, Shashou, an Iraqi Jew, invited him to stay in his palace until the King would be ready. "My homeland is not a suitcase; And I am not a passenger." With this quotation from the Palestinian national poet Mahmoud Darwish, I started my testimony regarding my personal nakba (catastrophe, in Arabic) at a UN conference marking the plight of Jewish refugees in NY,

On Passover, we celebrate the Jewish story of our release from bondage.  Our seders often conclude with the sweet taste of chocolate.  How bitter to think that much of the world's chocolate comes to us via dangerous child labor practices around the world akin to slavery.   By eating Kosher for Passover Fair Trade chocolate on the holiday, we heighten our awareness about an issue deeply bound into the fabric of

Nones Drinking L’Chaim to Purim, the celebration of the Jewish People Against All Odds As we approach the festival of Purim, we would like to mention an obscure study recently conducted by the Pew Research Group about the Jewish Community. Alas, as significant as the findings are, it has come to our attention that nobody in the Jewish communal world seems particularly interested in this study. For the purpose of

Love the "shtick" happening at G-dcast! #jewishisfun. TheLearningShuk.org (my project) is connecting you to good stuff! Virginie Polster (WHA, Phoenix 09) is a core contributor at her shul, serves on the board of the Jewish Tuition Organization, and is Vice-Chair of the Jewish Community Association of Greater Phoenix Local Funding Council. Her primary focus is experimentation and innovation to support families’ Jewish learning journeys. She is the Co-Founder and Chief