I don’t have a ‘Jewish’ name, and people won't leave me alone about it By Dawn Kepler Jan 26, 2022 Dear Dawn: I read the article in Kveller “I Took My Husband’s Jewish Last Name and I Don’t Regret It,” written by a Jew by choice. Here we go again: “Jewish” names. Where does that leave converts without a husband with a “Jewish” name? I cannot even read past the headline. Jealous on one hand, and… Read More
Local Voice What will we do next time an unhoused person comes to shul? When I turned on my phone after Shabbat last Saturday night and read about the unfolding hostage crisis at Congregation Beth Israel in Texas, I was… By Rabbi Joshua Ladon, JTA Jan 21, 2022
Torah Shifting focus from everyday anxieties can help us encounter God The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon. Yitro Exodus 18:1–20:23 Do you know a person whose… By Rabbi Amy Eilberg Jan 21, 2022
Religion During hostage crisis, Jews turned to prayers for moments of danger Jews who pray according to traditional liturgy each morning recite a line that is usually symbolic: “Blessed are you, God, who frees the captive.” On… By Philissa Cramer, JTA Jan 16, 2022
Tech Chabad is everywhere — even the metaverse You don your virtual reality goggles and stroll into a simulated, animated world of bright colors. In the person of your self-designed avatar, you range… By Maya Mirsky Jan 14, 2022
Religion Queer Mikveh Project immerses marginalized Jews in a changing ritual Last Passover, a group of 125 Jews gathered via Zoom for a community mikvah ritual. Dr. Harriette Wimms, a queer Black Jewish psychologist and kohenet… By Rachel Román, JTA Jan 12, 2022
Opinion Rabbi: Responsive readings? Congregation: Yaawwwn Let us read responsively. Rabbi: Did you see that Facebook meme going around? Congregation: Which Facebook meme? Rabbi: The one about responsive readings.… By Rabbi Jeffrey K. Salkin, RNS Jan 11, 2022
Religion What Rabbi Leo Baeck can teach us on Tu B’Shevat I imagine that Leo Baeck, the 20th-century German Reform rabbi, would frown quizzically at an outdoor Tu B’Shevat retreat in a Northern California… By George Altshuler Jan 10, 2022
Torah Midnight can be the moment that changes the course of history The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon. Bo Exodus 10:1–13:16 When we were younger — and… By Rabbi Jessica Zimmerman Graf Jan 7, 2022