By Rabbi Debra Smith According to the US Holocaust Museum, antisemitic incidents are at a 40 year high. Extremist groups continue to call for violence against Jews. Young neo-Nazis are openly promoting antisemitic conspiracy theories on college campuses. Loud voices are openly spreading hate against Jews. Loud voices are openly spreading hate against Jews. Over Continue Reading »
by Audrey Lichter, originally published in Kenissa Konnections, the monthly newsletter of Kenissa: Communities of Meaning Network How did Chai Mitzvah come about? We believe that there are incredibly skilled and passionate Jewish professional and lay leaders in our communities. We also believe that there are a plethora of opportunities for Jewish engagement and growth, Continue Reading »
by Michalee Merritt I can’t help but to think of The Bryds song Turn, Turn, Turn this time of year. I know that some see it as a sad song but I see it as a call for transition. The song is a series of opposing actions. That is what it’s like this time of Continue Reading »
(whether or not you actually wear it) By Nina Fondiller Woldin Tonight, Jewish people all over the world will celebrate Purim. We’ll begin by giving tzedakah, then read Megillat Esther, eat hamantaschen, dress up in costumes, make noise, and generally enjoy ourselves! But we will also be thinking seriously about the message of Purim, Continue Reading »
By Reb Deb The Torah gives us a daunting commandment and spiritual challenge in the month of Adar. We are commanded to be joyous. We are commanded to be joyous! Being joyous does not come instinctively or easily to so many of us. In fact, for many of us, aspiring to be joyous and happy can Continue Reading »
by Audrey Lichter This was the term used by my new friends at B’nai Harim Synagogue in Pocono Pines Pennsylvania to describe the Jewish people in the Pocono Mountains who do not identify with the Jewish communities scattered throughout the region. They work hard to find them, and invite them to participate. It is an extraordinary experience Continue Reading »
by Jill Maidhof, Outreach Coordinator Four Questions: Are you a people person? Do you think you could get people talking about a topic, even if you weren’t an expert? Do you have just a few friends or relatives who you think would enjoy Chai Mitzvah as much as you do? Are you willing to take Continue Reading »
by Michalee Merritt Today is Tu Bishvat. We celebrate by planting trees and having a seder of dried fruits, nuts and grains like wheat and barley. I just returned from my first trip to Israel. The weather was beautiful, very different from the weather here in New England. The trees were all starting to bloom. Continue Reading »
by Nina Woldin JDAIM, Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance and Inclusion Month, begins this week. Established in 2009 by the Jewish Special Education International Consortium, JDAIM is observed each February. JDAIM was created to raise awareness and foster inclusion of people with disabilities in Jewish life. A unified effort among Jewish organizations and communities worldwide, JDAIM Continue Reading »
by Audrey Lichter We are all not doing well… Bravado aside, as I travel the country and speak to the “organized” Jewish community – Synagogues, Federations, JCCs, Day Schools – except for a very select few, we are all struggling for members, for the attention of the Jews. Covid fatigue takes many forms. For one Continue Reading »
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