JEWISH LIFE

Trendspotting:
'Til Eternity
Do Us Part
by Debby Waldman

Synagogue: Priceless Partnerships
by Marge Eiseman

Books: Reviews
Bonny V. Fetterman

Books: Significant Jewish Books for Discussion
by Bonny V. Fetterman

Fiction: Our
Secret Crime
by Aaron Mayer Frankel

Sports: Baseball's First Pro - A Brooklyn Jew
by Joel Samberg

Cooking: The Apple Sesame Honey Dip
by Tina D. Wasserman

History:
Confronting Crises
by Michael A. Meyer

World Jewry: An American Rabbi
in Warsaw
an interview with Burt Shuman

NEWS & VIEWS OF REFORM JEWS

Feature Story:
Community Cures for Economic Blues
How Reform congregations are helping job seekers and others
by Jane Herman

Chairman's Perspective: Our Reform Partnership
by Peter Weidhorn

Debatable: Should We Offer Free High Holy Day Tickets to Non-Members?
YES by Steve Friedman
NO by Maxine Sukenik

Quotable in Print
Rabbi Eric Yoffie on teenager responsibilities, the CCAR on Muslim cemeteries, Rabbi David Ellenson on Jewish survival

Quotable -
The Blogs
On God, on age, on prayer, and on Shabbat

Helpline
Effective support groups and personal support for job seekers

Noteworthy
Israel's step toward religious equality,
1st African American rabbi...

Happenings
For youth and for adults, August 2009 - February 2010

What Works
Banker hero, Torah-To-Go, sustaining Judaism in Slovakia, backpack buddies

In Memory
Melvin Merrians,
1928-2009

IN THE BEGINNING

Dear Reader:
A Call for Civility
by Eric H. Yoffie

FALL '09 COVER STORY
Are You a Buttinsky?
Meddling can be dangerous to family harmony. How, then, can we express concerns that may elicit the very response we hope for? Dr. Dale Atkins and Rabbi Edythe Mencher offer new perspectives grounded in Jewish tradition; and Dr. Alan D. Bennett's Discussion Guide offers many questions for contemplation and family conversation.

FEATURE STORIES

Reinventing American Judaism The financial crisis and demographic shifts are reshaping the Jewish community in unimaginable ways. Historian Jonathan Sarna sheds light on what history can teach us about Jewish revival in uncertain times. Saga of a Muslim Soldier by Daniel Hill As an American Muslim who counts an old rabbi as one of my finest mentors, I've given great thought to why many Muslims and Arabs hate Israel and the Jews. The Canadian Way A conversation with Rabbis Michael Dolgin, Leigh Lerner, and Don Marmur on the distinct character and practices of Canadian Jewry. Our Reform Family Gathering What to anticipate November 4-8, 2009 at the Toronto Biennial convention. An Elliott Kleinman interview.

COLLEGE ADVERTISING

Note: The RJ Insider's Guide to College Life was generously underwritten by the following institutions and companies: Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, American Jewish University, Austin College, B'nai B'rith Youth Organization, California State University, Northridge, Columbia University School of General Studies, Cultural Experiences Abroad, Expert Admissions, Gratz College, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Indiana University - Robert A. and Sandra S. Borns Jewish Studies Program, Jewish National Fund, Muhlenberg College, New York University, NFTY, Quinnipiac University, Sigma Alpha Mu, Sigma Delta Tau, University of Rochester, URJ Books and Music, Young Judea.