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.
Interview with Rabbi Jane Katzew. To stem the high dropout rate post b'nai mitzvah, learn from the 7-10% of Reform religious schools that retain 80%+ of students through 12th grade, all of which have key factors in common. Winter 2009.
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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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interview with Alan Morinis. The breaking of the wedding glass sends the message: To fully experience joy, one must also be able to feel deep sorrow. Part of Focus “Happiness.” Winter 2011.
Abraham J. Twerski. How to alleviate the cause of enduring happiness—neglect of the human spirit. Part of Focus “Happiness.” Winter 2011.
interview with the Dalai Lama and Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks. The Dalai Lama and the Chief Rabbi reflect on finding happiness in the face of tragedy, loss, and injustice. Part of Focus “Happiness.” Winter 2011.
Hava Tirosh-Samuelson. Human happiness has been a central concern of Judaism since antiquity. And the ancient Jewish philosophers’ teachings about the “intrinsically good life” are just as relevant today. Part of Focus “Happiness.” Winter 2011.
Evan “Happy” Braude. “Engagement gives meaning to my life, and from meaning I derive happiness.” Part of Focus “Happiness.” Winter 2011.
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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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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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Anson Laytner. Reflective account of the author’s decision, after his beloved wife died, to keep her body at home with the family until the funeral. Fall 2011.
Jack Riemer. Do I agree with Christopher Reeve, who was busy until the day he died, or with Moti Gur, who surrendered when he could not defeat cancer? Spring 2011.
Rabbi Zoe Klein. "I have been fearful to the point of terror of my own ultimate demise." Summer 2010.
Rabbi Mark Washofsky. Reform rabbinic rulings on the question: A dying father has instructed that his body be cremated upon death. His adult children are uncomfortable with that request. Does Jewish tradition obligate them to honor their father's wish? Spring 2009.
YES--Rabbi Samuel Stahl. NO--Rabbi Arnold Gluck. Presents two opposing perspectives rooted in Jewish and Reform Jewish tradition. Spring 2009.
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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.
Interview with Rabbi Simeon Maslin. The author of the Reform divorce document talks about its purpose and uses. Part of Focus: Divorce & Recovery. Spring 2000.
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A symposium. Twelve Jewish day school students - Jonathan Bleiberg, Sterling Dixon, Alex Garnick, Bari Gold, Rebecca Greenberg, Benjamin Lee, Max Lewis, Madeline Press, Samantha Shinder, Mariel Tivoli, Jacob Tommey, and Jack Zucker - share their personal perspectives on heroism, human flaws, God, social justice, technology, and more - largely informed by the Reform Jewish day school experience. Spring 2011.
Mark Glickman. A rabbi's quest to follow the trail of the largest trove of ancient and medieval Jewish manuscripts every discovered. Winter 2010.
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.
Interview with Rabbi Jane Katzew. To stem the high dropout rate post b'nai mitzvah, learn from the 7-10% of Reform religious schools that retain 80%+ of students through 12th grade, all of which have key factors in common. Winter 2009.
An introduction to the range of Reform Jewish thinking on reinterpreting Torah. Summer 2008.
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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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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.
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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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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Jeremi Suri. After the 1973 Yom Kippur War, U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger almost singlehandedly reshaped the balance of power in the Middle East—a balance which reigned in the region for nearly 40 years. How did Kissinger’s escape from Nazi Germany impact his foreign policy? And now, with populist Arab uprisings, how will history judge his legacy? Winter 2011.
James Rudin. Why have mainline Protestant leaders—our social justice and religious coalition partners—consistently made common cause with the Palestinians, often ignoring Israeli perspectives on the conflict? How can we strengthen our relationships with Protestant churches? Winter 2011.
Hava Tirosh-Samuelson. Human happiness has been a central concern of Judaism since antiquity. And the ancient Jewish philosophers’ teachings about the “intrinsically good life” are just as relevant today. Part of Focus “Happiness.” 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.
A conversation with Daniel Freelander. The Union for Reform Judaism's senior vice president offers insider observations on what the synagogues of the 1800s were like, how Reform congregations moved from imitation to innovation, and from exclusion to inclusion—and the challenges ahead. Readers are invited to post their views. Part of Focus: Reforming Judaism. Summer 2011.
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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.
Jonathan Greenstein. Appraising a menorah with a Star of David motif. Winter 2011.
Jonathan Greenstein. Investigating the origin of crystal plates from Czechoslovakia adorned with a Star of David image. Fall 2011.
Jonathan Greenstein. Trench art from what was then Palestine during WWI. Summer 2011.
Appraisal by Jonathan Greenstein. "My father bought this silver seder plate 35-40 years ago..." Spring 2011.
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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.
Laura Wolfson. Wolfson and her partner were among thousands of Canadian gay and lesbian couples who walked down the aisle following Canada's landmark 2003 court rulings approving gay and lesbian marriage. She laments the fact that her own synagogue would not agree to host their marriage ceremony. Fall 2004. PDF
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interview with Alan Morinis. The breaking of the wedding glass sends the message: To fully experience joy, one must also be able to feel deep sorrow. Part of Focus “Happiness.” Winter 2011.
Laura Wolfson. Wolfson and her partner were among thousands of Canadian gay and lesbian couples who walked down the aisle following Canada's landmark 2003 court rulings approving gay and lesbian marriage. She laments the fact that her own synagogue would not agree to host their marriage ceremony. Fall 2004. PDF
Rabbi Steven Z. Leder. Relating his parents' near split when he was a child, Rabbi Leder concludes that marriage may not cure loneliness, but it is the best option. Rabbi Leder now tells couples he marries that they should think of each other as kadosh (sacred, fragile vessels, easily shattered). Winter 2000.
Sue Levi Elwell. The author questions whether any Jewish wedding can be called holy by a community that denies the holiness of the unions of some of its members; reflects on her own marriage to Nurit Shein; and calls on the Reform Movement to recognize gay and lesbian marriage as a sacred union. Winter 1998.
Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin. Far more than a "celebration" in which two Jews declare their love for one another, the Jewish wedding ceremony consists of meanings, images, theological notions, and historical memories which make it "Judaism in miniature." Fall 1997.
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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.
Paul A. Shapiro. What it took to open ITS, the largest archive of inaccessible Holocaust-related documents, in Bad Arolsen, Germany. Part of Focus: The Battle for Memory. Winter 2009.
Emory University professor prevails in a London court against a Holocaust denier. 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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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.
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.
Brenda Zeller Rosenbaum. Recounts how the author and her husband found ways to honor their children's Jewish choices while maintaining and growing their own. Spring 2010.
Rabbi Edythe Mencher. Appropriate and inappropriate ways for parents to help adult children navigate college. Fall 2008.
William Squier. A thoughtful reflection on the question of Christmas celebration in an interfaith marriage. Winter 2007.
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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.
YES perspective by Jonathan Biatch, NO perspective by Clifford E. Librach. Summer 2011.
A member of Sinai Temple, Champaign, Illinois reflects on the challenges and meaning of her volunteer work in Haiti and other locales. PDF. Summer 2011.
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Janet Alyn. Lynn Stahl’s inclusive prayer at a community-wide function embraced every member of her audience; how to follow her example. Winter 2011.
Charles R. Krivcher. Personal reflection of a High Holy Day encounter with a mirror that led to an epiphany regarding the author’s relationship with God and personal responsibility in prayer. Fall 2011.
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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