Jew in the Pew Getting drunk on Jewish texts and arts My dad sat to my left. Next to him was the charismatic, theatrical Bruce Bierman, whom I last encountered when he was leading a deliciously off-the-wall… By David A.M. Wilensky Nov 25, 2019
Jew in the Pew I was in a strange, new world: Egalitarian Sephardi Shabbat An egalitarian Sephardi service is a rare thing, a complete novelty to me when I dropped in on the first installment of Congregation Zohar Yisrael, a new… By David A.M. Wilensky Nov 13, 2019
Jew in the Pew Tashlich in spaaaaaaaacce! They call it Tashlich in Space. The website puts it succinctly: “Reflect. Renew. Blastoff.” That’s right, this year you can (belatedly) send your sins up… By David A.M. Wilensky Oct 21, 2019
Jew in the Pew A very Berkeley lulav and etrog The lulav and the etrog. One week a year, we shake this magic rainstick and its citrus companion in the air. During the harvest festival of Sukkot, we… By David A.M. Wilensky Oct 15, 2019
Jew in the Pew Connection and renewal at fire-damaged Chabad’s celebration of ‘unity’ After four years in the Bay Area, I finally know what lies at the end of the Dublin/Pleasanton line. As with most of the Earth’s extremities today,… By David A.M. Wilensky Sep 27, 2019
Jew in the Pew At Karaite Convention, everything is the same — but different “It’s like Judaism from an alternate universe,” said my friend Taeer. “So much is the same — but different.” I’ve witnessed a lot of different Judaisms,… By David A.M. Wilensky Sep 5, 2019
Jew in the Pew Can psychedelics heal the Jewish people? This rabbi is exploring that question. When the rabbi begins with “I do not condone the use of psychoactive substances regulated by the FDA,” you know you’re in for something special. Thus… By David A.M. Wilensky Aug 20, 2019
Jew in the Pew Time to rethink everything you’ve been told about Jews and astrology For most Jews, the entirety of Jewish belief about astrology is based on a single line in the Talmud: ein mazal l’Yisrael — there is no astrological sign… By David A.M. Wilensky Jul 23, 2019
Jew in the Pew He’s on a quest to create a new Jewish holiday: a Day of Justice Andrew Mandel believes that the Jewish people need another holiday. He calls it Yom HaTzedek — Day of Justice. Social justice is a big part of Judaism but… By David A.M. Wilensky Jul 9, 2019