Rabbi Steven Abraham

Tonight, together with our community, I watched the film October 8th, and since the credits rolled, I've been carrying around a heaviness, a quiet ache that's difficult to shake. As a rabbi, I've spoken many times about tragedy, resilience, and the complex layers of grief and hope embedded in Jewish identity. But watching October 8th wasn't an intellectual exercise; it felt visceral, deeply personal, and painfully raw. The film's stark portrayal of the day after October 7th … [Read more...]

Islamophobia is a term frequently used in contemporary discourse, ostensibly to identify and condemn prejudice against Muslims. On the surface, it seems to be a straightforward concept, signaling the legitimate recognition of bigotry aimed at a particular religious group. However, upon deeper examination, it becomes clear that the word "Islamophobia" has been designed, consciously or unconsciously, to blur important distinctions—distinctions between prejudice against individuals and legitimate … [Read more...]

There is something beautifully countercultural about being Jewish all the time. Not just when it’s convenient. Not just when the challah is fresh, the candles are flickering, and the calendar tells us it’s time. But all the time. To be Jewish in the everyday is to take on a life of kavannah (intention) and keva (structure)—to infuse the routine with meaning and to accept responsibility not as a burden, but as a sacred calling. And yet, in our modern lives, with their relentless pace and … [Read more...]

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/31/opinion/ukraine-putin-trump-republicans.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare As Americans, and particularly as Jews, we must recognize that Ukraine serves as a "canary in the coal mine," signaling broader threats to democracy and international stability. Historically, Jews understand profoundly the consequences of unchecked aggression and authoritarianism, having repeatedly endured persecution and violence. Allowing Ukraine to succumb … [Read more...]

Holocaust education, with all its noble intentions, has long been seen as a moral imperative—a bulwark against hate, antisemitism, and collective amnesia. And yet, after decades of curricular development, museum exhibits, mandatory school programs, and international days of remembrance, we are left asking: has it worked? The answer, painfully, is: not as we hoped. Rates of antisemitism are rising across the globe—on college campuses, in political discourse, in online spaces, and even in … [Read more...]

Dear Naama, Today, you are visiting the Illinois Holocaust Museum for the very first time. This is a significant day, and it carries great weight for me as your dad. There’s a strong instinct within me to shield you—to protect you from the harshest realities of our people's history. I want to keep you innocent, to preserve that light in your eyes that hasn’t yet been dimmed by the knowledge of how cruel the world can be. But I know I can’t do that forever. And I know, deep down, that I … [Read more...]

There is a particular kind of anguish that feels both ancient and immediate—like an old wound torn open anew. That was the sensation I experienced while reading the recent Tufts Daily op-ed by Rumeysa Ozturk and three fellow students. Ozturk, a Turkish national studying in the United States on a student visa, co-authored an article entitled "Zionism is Not Welcome at Tufts," which purports to be a bold assertion of justice. In truth, it is a chilling expression of intolerance, laced with … [Read more...]

This morning, I went to see the film October 8th. I’ll share more of my thoughts about it in a future post, but one idea has stayed with me after the credits rolled: we need more non-Jewish Zionists. I don’t mean the end-times evangelicals or the voices on the far-right whose support is tied to apocalyptic prophecy—though the Zionist tent has always been wide enough to hold unexpected company. What I mean are the thoughtful, principled non-Jewish allies who understand that Israel, like any … [Read more...]

This year, Passover brings an extra twist as our beloved holiday begins on Saturday evening, immediately after Shabbat concludes. While always special, a Saturday-night Seder demands additional preparation and awareness of Jewish law (halacha) to ensure a smooth and meaningful transition from the sanctity of Shabbat to the sacredness of Pesach. Here's how to approach this unique situation thoughtfully and practically. 1. Preparation Before Shabbat: Since preparing for Passover cannot occur on … [Read more...]

As we gather once again around the Passover table, the familiar yet eternally powerful command of the Haggadah echoes clearly: “In every generation, one is obligated to see themselves as if they personally went out from Egypt.” This directive is not merely poetic or symbolic; it is a profound call to experience our foundational narrative intimately, urgently, and continuously. To live within the Exodus story means understanding deeply that this story is not simply a historical memory—it is a … [Read more...]