a conversation with Bradley Solmsen and Isa Aron. The two co-directors of the Campaign for Youth Engagement discuss the history of b’nai mitzvah practice, why we need a b’nai mitzvah revolution now, and what such a revolution will encompass. Winter 2012.
Story of how a grandfather connected to his two grandchildren, and vice versa, through their co-creation of bat mitzvah tallit—and how that led to co-creating a chuppah for the marriage of his son. Winter 2011.
Ben Greenspan. First-person account by an eighth grader of how he co-created the film The Road Through Ohrdruf, which features the stories of both survivors and liberators of a small concentration camp called Ohrdruf 65 years after the war; the article also includes historical information and a variety of survivor memories/perspectives. Fall 2011.
For his temple mitzvah project in preparation for his becoming a bar mitzvah, Ryan Coretz of Temple Israel, Tulsa, Oklahoma raised $60,000 to build a Habitat for Humanity house and helped construct it, too. Summer 2011.
Jane E. Herman. How Reform congregations are providing Jewish enrichment to children with special needs; includes time-tested ways to offer them creative and fulfilling b'nai mitzvah ceremonies. Winter 2009.
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a conversation with Reuven Firestone. Why “holy war” disappeared from Jewish thought for 2000 years, and how it came back. Q&A with author of Holy War in Judaism: The Fall and Rise of a Controversial Idea. Spring 2013.
interview with Lawrence A. Hoffman. The author of One Hundred Jewish Books: Three Millennia of Key Jewish Conversation explains how Judaism is a “conversation,” and sheds light on the essential texts Jewish conversationalists should know. Winter 2012.
interview with David Ellenson and Daniel Gordis. The prevailing and conflicting attitudes about conversion from biblical times to today. Includes sidebars: Mitkadem Digital (URJ Books and Music) and Welcoming Spiritual Seekers (URJ resources). Fall 2012.
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Sheryl Lechner. Foundations, academics, researchers, and consultants have been demonstrating through new studies what until now had been largely intuitive and anecdotal: that Jewish camping is among the best ways to keep young Jews Jewishly engaged, and one of the key tools in inspiring them to live intentional Jewish lives. Spring 2008.
Jacob Schreiber, Vivien C. Braly, and Sheryl Lechner. Three stories of innovation in URJ camping - from reimagining the sacred to expressing the artist within to treasuring the heritage of Torah. Winter 2004.
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Phil Cohen (yes) and Barry Block (no). Rabbi Phil Cohen: “Let us offer a humane response to patients who needlessly suffer.” Rabbi Barry Block: “Don’t short-circuit the deep meaning in the natural process of death.” Summer 2013.
interview with Wendy Mogel. Technology opens wonderful worlds for children—but may also carry risk. The clinical psychologist and author of two parenting books discusses how Judaism and social science can help families navigate our new cyberworld. Summer 2013.
Janos Maté. Reflections on how the author’s whole life journey, including his Jewish upbringing, inspired him to become an activist, taking on perilous assignments to make the world a better place. Summer 2013.
Alan Morinis. Reflection on how, at moments of experiencing yirah—which the author defines as feeling awe, fear, and reverence all at once--our hearts are open to discovering the essential meaning of our lives. Summer 2013.
Daniel Reisel. The biblical story of Moses breaking the tablets “teaches us that even God agrees that to seek truth means to question authority. Quite literally, it means to break the rules.” Spring 2013.
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Rabbi Mark Washofsky. Understanding the roots and power of berit milah, a ceremonial acknowledgment that Jews consider ourselves a community set apart from all others and in covenant with God. Fall 2008.
Dr. Dorothy F. Greenbaum. Criticizing the American Academy of Pediatrics for not recommending circumcision as a routine procedure ("creating the misleading impression that the AAP is saying that circumcision isn't good for your son"), Greenbaum explains why circumcision promotes a child's health and is a spiritually meaningful ritual. Winter 1999.
Fred R. Kogen. Dr. Kogen, physician and mohel, tells the humorous tale of his journey into the Mohave Desert to perform a berit milah (ritual circumcision) for the newborn son of a Jewish biker - demonstrating that Judaism can be found in even the most remote locations. Fall 1992.
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interview with David Ellenson and Daniel Gordis. The prevailing and conflicting attitudes about conversion from biblical times to today. Includes sidebars: Mitkadem Digital (URJ Books and Music) and Welcoming Spiritual Seekers (URJ resources). Fall 2012.
History & Torah show that Jews were encouraged to proselytize gentiles. Winter 2010.
Jane E. Herman & Vicki Farhi. How Reform congregations are successfully engaging potential Jews-by-choice. Winter 2010.
Guardian angel for homeless couples; hydrate a child & save a life; "turkey train"; retirees' mitzvah corps; mitzvah matchmaker. Winter 2010.
Rabbi Stephen Einstein and Rabbi Rosalin Mandelberg. Two Reform rabbis offer opposing perspectives based on Jewish teachings and personal experience. Winter 2008.
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Phil Cohen (yes) and Barry Block (no). Rabbi Phil Cohen: “Let us offer a humane response to patients who needlessly suffer.” Rabbi Barry Block: “Don’t short-circuit the deep meaning in the natural process of death.” Summer 2013.
No byline. A free shiva registry service started by Sharon Rosen can streamline shiva arrangements for congregations and individuals, and strengthen congregational community. Spring 2013.
Cary Kozberg. “Persons with dementia are ‘messengers from God,’ helping us to reflect on what it means to be human.” Adaptation from the URJ Press book Broken Fragments: Jewish Experiences of Alzheimer’s Disease through Diagnosis, Adaptation, and Moving On. Spring 2013.
Anonymous. My husband was committing crimes to feed his serious drug addiction. I feared public humiliation. Part of Focus: Shanda. Winter 2012.
Marlene Myerson. Packing up my mother’s apartment after her death, I finally found the answers I’d yearned for all my life. Part of Focus: Shanda. Winter 2012.
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Annette Powers. My father believed that intermarriage was a shanda. I hoped to prove him wrong. Part of Focus: Shanda. Winter 2012.
Rabbi Laura Geller. "During the traditional get ceremony, I began to feel released -- still, I needed a ritual through which I could release myself." Part of Focus: Divorce & Recovery. Spring 2000
Judyth Har Even. Nourishing ourselves on a "Diet for Estranged Wives," we read and sang personal passages and songs by candlelight. Part of Focus: Divorce & Recovery. Spring 2000
Rabbi Leigh Lerner. The abandonment of ceremonial divorce ignores the emotional needs of our congregants at a time of deep distress in their lives. Part of Focus: Divorce & Recovery. Spring 2000.
Rabbi Sandy Seltzer. We've come a long way since Deuteronomy 24:1. A historical and sociological overview of how Jewish divorce has changed in practice over time. Part of Focus: Divorce & Recovery. Spring 2000.
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Daniel Reisel. The biblical story of Moses breaking the tablets “teaches us that even God agrees that to seek truth means to question authority. Quite literally, it means to break the rules.” Spring 2013.
Maristella Botticini and Zvi Eckstein. Jews did not choose professions in finance because of restrictions, but because of proficiency. Part of Focus: Greatest Jewish Myths. Spring 2013.
Kevin Thurm. Ten multiple choice questions about synagogues past and present (answers follow) in this first of a series of educational quizzes on different topics. Fall 2012.
Alan Morinis. What can each of us do to foster nefesh—soul love? Spring 2012.
Naftali Rothenberg. Rabbi Akiva’s wisdom about the ideal of human love. Spring 2012
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Darryl Egnal. Israel is now a world leader in green innovation—& many initiatives are open to the eco-traveler. Article covers: Ariel Sharon Park/Mount Hiriya, Vertico Eco-Art Village, Neve Midbar, Chai Negev, Mitzpe Revivim, Nitzana Educational Community & Solar Park, Ezuz - Zimmerbus, Kibbutz Lotan, Ketura Sun, The Ecological Greenhouse—Kibbutz Ein Shemer, Agamon Hula Lake Ornithologial and Nature Park, Mitzpe Hayamim. Part of RJ Insider’s Guide to Israel Travel. Summer 2013.
A conversation with Rabbis Mike Comins, Kevin Kleinman, Jamie Korngold, and Owen Gottlieb. Our biblical ancestors first experienced God in the wilderness. What did they know that we need to rediscover? Fall 2010.
Interview. Four Kibbutz Lotan ecology experts explain why environmentalism is a Jewish imperative and how Reform Jews and congregations throughout North America can re-envision and transform our relationship with the earth. Winter 2009.
Jane E. Herman. What we can learn from Reform Jews, Reform congregations, and the Union for Reform Judaism about sustaining the planet for future generations. Spring 2009.
Michael Brown. How the author has cultivated a garden that connects him to the land, to his Jewishness, and to God, planting parsley and horseradish for Passover; ornamental corn and gourds for Sukkot; grapes and wheat for the Sabbath. Summer 2004.
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Augusta Hammerslough Rosenwald. Text from the Ethical Will written by a Jewish woman in the 19th century. Illustrated. Part of Focus: Ethical Wills. Winter 1998.
Sidney D. Leader. Text from the author's Ethical Will discussing what we are to do "during the time that we are here." Illustrated. Part of Focus: Ethical Wills. Winter 1998.
Eric Simon. Text from the author's Ethical Will discussing how to conduct one's life in order to be a good Jew. Illustrated. Part of Focus: Ethical Wills. Winter 1998.
Sholom Aleichem. Text from the Ethical Will written by the renowned author. Illustrated. Part of Focus: Ethical Wills. Winter 1998
Evely Laser Shlensky. Text from the author's Ethical Will: "Envision a 'spiritual atmosphere' surrounding the world. Decide whether the deeds or words you're contemplating will enrich or deplete the atmosphere." Illustrated. Part of Focus: Ethical Wills. Winter 1998.
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Rolene Marks. Innovative eateries intermixing immigrant culinary traditions and Middle Eastern and Asian accents: Yakomono, Mul Yam, Max’s, Dr. Shakshuka, Bouza, Mr. Lachuch, Mukhtar, Shegar Ethiopian Restaurant, Kfar Hanokdim, Arcadia. Part of RJ Insider’s Guide to Israel Travel. Summer 2013.
Yes: Rabbi David M. Frank. No: Rabbi Jeff Marx. A debate between two Reform rabbis, one whose congregation has a kosher kitchen, one whose congregation does not. Summer 2010.
Yes: Rabbi Barry Schwartz. No: Rabbi Cliff Librach. A debate between two Reform rabbis, both of whom reference Reform and general Jewish teachings. Spring 2010.
Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie. "For the sake of our health, and the Earth's, let's make a Jewish decision about what we put on our plates-cutting back on red meat by 20% or more." Adaptation from the URJ president's 2009 Biennial address. Spring 2010.
Interview with Rabbi Simeon J. Maslin. "Every sensitive human being should evolve a personal dietary regimen guided by ethical considerations-call it ethical kashrut." Summer 2007.
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Cary Kozberg. “Persons with dementia are ‘messengers from God,’ helping us to reflect on what it means to be human.” Adaptation from the URJ Press book Broken Fragments: Jewish Experiences of Alzheimer’s Disease through Diagnosis, Adaptation, and Moving On. Spring 2013.
Anonymous. My husband was committing crimes to feed his serious drug addiction. I feared public humiliation. Part of Focus: Shanda. Winter 2012.
Marlene Myerson. Packing up my mother’s apartment after her death, I finally found the answers I’d yearned for all my life. Part of Focus: Shanda. Winter 2012.
No byline. Glass’ free service Memories Live helps terminally ill people and their families create a personalized movie for posterity. PDF. Winter 2012.
Ellen Marks. Personal story of a woman whose husband, 56, was diagnosed with a malignant, lethal brain tumor. Before his diagnosis the family had no idea that some researchers had linked prolonged cell phone use with brain tumors. An epiphany during Shabbat services at her congregation galvanized the author to take action, becoming a leading spokesperson on the perils of unsafe cell phone use and an advocate for governmental legislation that would mandate appropriate warnings regarding levels of radiation to consumers at point of purchase. Includes “Ellen Marks’ Recommended Cell Phone Precautions.” Fall 2011.
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Susan Esther Barnes. “Is there a traditional prayer to say upon entering a synagogue?” & 9 other questions and answers about synagogue ritual objects and practices. Summer 2013.
Daniel Reisel. How the democratic lessons espoused by the rabbis of Yaveh apply to the Twitterverse of today. Summer 2013.
Sarah Bunin Benor. The origin stories of bentshn, shlep, mitzvah, cholent, schmooze, and pastrami. Summer 2013.
Michael J. Cook. Why Jesus’ Last Supper could not have been a Passover meal, even of the pre-70 C.E. prototype. The author pinpoints 5 anomalies within a paragraph in the Gospel of Mark to prove his case. Online Exclusive within Focus: Greatest Jewish Myths. Spring 2013.
a conversation with Reuven Firestone. Why “holy war” disappeared from Jewish thought for 2000 years, and how it came back. Q&A with author of Holy War in Judaism: The Fall and Rise of a Controversial Idea. Spring 2013.
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Jonathan Greenstein. Appraising an important Judaica papercut. Summer 2013.
appraisals by Jonathan Greenstein. Appraising a spice tower connected to Civil War history. Spring 2013.
Jonathan Greenstein. Appraising an unusual menorah with griffon (dog breed) heads on each side. Winter 2012.
Jonathan Greenstein. Evaluating a brass hanging lamp known as a judenstern (Jewish star in German). Fall 2012.
Jonathan Greenstein. Appraising a 1905 medallion commemorating the 250th year of Jewish settlement in the U.S. Summer 2012.
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A journey of love and "Love in the Movement" photo gallery which includes 7 photographs of wedding couples or married couples in a Reform Movement context, among them a gay couple and a lesbian couple. Part of Focus: Love. PDF. Spring 2012.
Andrew Ramer (yes) and Morrie Hartman (no). How one lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender event changed a congregation; and how one man felt isolated in being reached out to because of sexual orientation rather than his Jewishness. Fall 2010.
Helen T. Cohn. A rabbi's journey of parental acceptance: "When my daughter Laura was becoming Lawrence, I told almost no one at first. I felt too astonished and ashamed." Part of Cover Story on "Living With Secrets." Fall 2010.
Susan Talve. To create an integrated, safe, and welcoming place for Jews of color, Central Reform Congregation in St. Louis, Missouri followed a similar model to the successful one they had implemented in reaching out to the GLBT community in the 1980s. Spring 2010.
Mike Rankin. After the Union's 1985 Biennial in Los Angeles, we gay men and lesbians no longer felt like strangers and wayfarers. The doors of the tent of Sarah and Abraham had opened to us. Fall 2007.
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Annette Powers. My father believed that intermarriage was a shanda. I hoped to prove him wrong. Part of Focus: Shanda. Winter 2012.
Steven Schnur. Reflections of a proud father on his adult daughter’s wedding day. Fall 2012.
Alan Morinis. What can each of us do to foster nefesh—soul love? Spring 2012.
Naftali Rothenberg. Rabbi Akiva’s wisdom about the ideal of human love. Spring 2012
Rex Perlmeter. Nurturing love in the face of tragedy. Spring 2012.
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No byline. Glass’ free service Memories Live helps terminally ill people and their families create a personalized movie for posterity. PDF. Winter 2012.
Jack Riemer. A prayer that can help us as we begin the sacred task of closing down and emptying out our parents’ home after they die. Summer 2012.
Michael A. White. Coming to terms with certain limitations of freedom posed by middle age and learning how to expand the possibilities for growth. Summer 2011.
When Holocaust survivors tried to tell their stories, most people - even therapists - would not listen to or believe them. The consequences have been multigenerational. Part of Focus: The Battle for Memory. Winter 2009.
Aron Hirt-Manheimer. Epiphany at the International Tracing Service, Bad Arolsen, Germany. Part of Focus: The Battle for Memory. Winter 2009.
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Sue Fishkoff. Reform Jews are using mikvaot today in a wide variety of alternative ways: to mark lifecycle events or a change of personal status, to celebrate joy or sanctify grief. Fall 2008.
Rabbi Elliot M. Strom. Reform congregations should consider building mikvehs, which can be utilized by both men and women for personal meditation, celebration of a new phase of life, or easing of spiritual and physical pain. Summer 1999.
Jane Solomon. Personal story of how, at the moment of immersion, you are as close as you can ever be to God. Spring 1996.
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Rachel Wetstein. 8 questions, answers—& links to the music. Spring 2013.
Jayson Rodovsky and Rachel Wetstein. 8 questions & answers about Ma’oz Tzur, Ocho Kandelikas, Judas Maccabeus, and more—and links to the music. Winter 2012.
Melanie Goldish. The story of how Debbie Friedman supported the author's young son Travis, who was being treated for cancer, and Travis' brother too. Part of Tribute: Music Legend Debbie Friedman. Spring 2011.
Alane S. Katzew. Debbie Friedman's four masterful skills that allowed her to transform a group of strangers into a sacred community. Part of Tribute: Music Legend Debbie Friedman. Spring 2011.
Daniel Freelander. Reflections on Debbie Friedman's influence in the Reform Movement. Part of Tribute: Music Legend Debbie Friedman. Spring 2011.
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interview with Louis Bordman. The director of URJ Eisner Camp explains why cell phones are banned at URJ camps--and how camp life has been enriched as a result. Sidebar to “Invasion of the Machines.” Summer 2013.
interview with Wendy Mogel. Technology opens wonderful worlds for children—but may also carry risk. The clinical psychologist and author of two parenting books discusses how Judaism and social science can help families navigate our new cyberworld. Summer 2013.
Barbara Pash. How congregations can successfully engage young families. Profiles model congregations of different sizes and presents experts’ tips for success. Winter 2012.
no byline. Highlights “The Open Tent” program established by Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach, which is engaging three different demographics: young professionals 25-45, expectant parents, and new parents. Winter 2012.
Steven Schnur. Reflections of a proud father on his adult daughter’s wedding day. Fall 2012.
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Janos Maté. Reflections on how the author’s whole life journey, including his Jewish upbringing, inspired him to become an activist, taking on perilous assignments to make the world a better place. Summer 2013.
Q&A with Jackie Curtis Silverman. The founder of The New Orleans Women’s Shelter reflects on having decided “to no longer live my sheltered life telling myself that homelessness was a government problem to solve.” Summer 2012. PDF.
Evan “Happy” Braude. “Engagement gives meaning to my life, and from meaning I derive happiness.” Part of Focus “Happiness.” Winter 2011.
This tribute to the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism’s 50th anniversary includes “Fighting for a Better Future: 12 Milestones,” chronicling a dozen historic milestones where the RAC was at the forefront of social justice; and reflections by two former RAC Eisendrath Legislative Assistants, Brandeis President Frederick Lawrence and Rabbi David Stern, on being shaped by the LA experience. Fall 2011.
Ellen Marks. Personal story of a woman whose husband, 56, was diagnosed with a malignant, lethal brain tumor. Before his diagnosis the family had no idea that some researchers had linked prolonged cell phone use with brain tumors. An epiphany during Shabbat services at her congregation galvanized the author to take action, becoming a leading spokesperson on the perils of unsafe cell phone use and an advocate for governmental legislation that would mandate appropriate warnings regarding levels of radiation to consumers at point of purchase. Includes “Ellen Marks’ Recommended Cell Phone Precautions.” Fall 2011.
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interview with Louis Bordman. The director of URJ Eisner Camp explains why cell phones are banned at URJ camps--and how camp life has been enriched as a result. Sidebar to “Invasion of the Machines.” Summer 2013.
Mary Ann Sternberg. Sick with bronchitis, the author decided to stream Rosh Hashanah services at three different congregations, including KK Bene Israel / Rockdale Temple in Cincinnati and Central Synagogue in NYC. She describes her experiences and offers streaming tips for temples. Summer 2013.
interview with Wendy Mogel. Technology opens wonderful worlds for children—but may also carry risk. The clinical psychologist and author of two parenting books discusses how Judaism and social science can help families navigate our new cyberworld. Summer 2013.
Daniel Reisel. How the democratic lessons espoused by the rabbis of Yaveh apply to the Twitterverse of today. Summer 2013.
Alison Kahler. A 20-something’s perspective: “The Internet helps me to do the things I love to do and to be the person I want to be.” Sidebar to “Invasion of the Machines.” Summer 2013.
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Susan Esther Barnes. “Is there a traditional prayer to say upon entering a synagogue?” & 9 other questions and answers about synagogue ritual objects and practices. Summer 2013.
An RJ-ARZA collaboration. A guide to all 40 IMPJ congregations, with worship and contact information and a color-coded Visitor’s Map of every community. Part of RJ Insider’s Guide to Israel Travel. Summer 2013.
Josh Nelson. “We want prayer experiences in and of the moment—ones without an alternative agenda or expectation of our doing or giving.” Part of Cover Story: Forum for the Future, in which six 20s and 30s say what they need to find their home in the Jewish community. Winter 2012.
Sarah Lefton. “As parents of a 3-year-old, there isn’t a place where my husband and I can learn in a serious way at the same time.” Part of Cover Story: Forum for the Future, in which six 20s and 30s say what they need to find their home in the Jewish community. Winter 2012.
Suzanne Singer. The evolution of a rabbi who once likened bowing and kissing the Torah scroll to idolatry. Fall 2012.
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