Hanukkah begins in just a week, and this year, the first night falls on December 25th, Christmas Day. While the calendar might nudge us to reflect on the broader world we live in, the core message of Hanukkah calls us to look inward, to remember who we are and why that matters. Hanukkah is a celebration born out of a struggle—not just against external oppression but against internal pressures to assimilate. In the second century BCE, under the influence of Hellenistic culture, many Jews … [Read more...]
How Misreading Patrilineal Descent Has Shaped Our View of Intermarriage
Our current understanding of intermarriage and Jewish identity is influenced by centuries of interpretation, shaped by historical context, rabbinic rulings, and evolving communal needs. For those who fear that interfaith marriage threatens Jewish survival, promoting endogamy—Jews marrying other Jews—remains essential. Conversely, others see interfaith marriage as a sign of Jewish acceptance into mainstream culture, offering an opportunity for Jewish growth and inclusivity. The biblical, Second … [Read more...]
It’s Time to Say “Yes” — Still
Seven years ago, I wrote an article called “It’s Time to Say Yes.” Since then, the Jewish community has continued to change, but the Conservative Movement has not kept up. As rabbis, we have the freedom to make decisions about so many aspects of synagogue life — how we run our services, what kosher standards we follow, how we guide people through conversion. We are trusted as Mara d’atra, the final authority for our communities, on countless matters. Yet when it comes to officiating at … [Read more...]
If the Ritual of Judaism is Mitzvot, Then Our American Ritual is Voting
In Jewish tradition, our obligations, or mitzvot, are not merely personal preferences but are essential acts that bind us to our community and to God. Similarly, voting is an American obligation that binds us to one another as citizens. The act of voting, like the practice of mitzvot, is both an individual and collective responsibility, reinforcing our commitment to the well-being of our country and to the values we hold dear. Jewish law divides mitzvot into two categories: Ben Adam … [Read more...]
Safety, Self-Defense, and the Sanctity of Life
Growing up, guns were something I only saw in movies or on the belts of police officers. Guns were not part of everyday life for most Jewish families, mine included. But in recent years—and especially after the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023—I’ve seen more and more Jews, even those with no prior connection to firearms, question whether gun ownership should become part of their reality. With antisemitism rising sharply, more American Jews are choosing to arm themselves for protection. Recent … [Read more...]
Respecting Our Past vs. Embracing Our Joy
There’s a paradox in Jewish life that I have always found deeply unsettling, but never knew how to fully express: as a community, we gather in droves for moments of solemn remembrance, yet our numbers dwindle when it’s time to celebrate the joyful, living aspects of our tradition. We pour resources—time, finances, and emotional energy—into commemorating the tragedies of our past. We show up for Yizkor, Yom HaShoah, and countless memorial services, honoring our ancestors and ensuring their … [Read more...]
Abortion: A Thoughtful and Nuanced Approach
Abortion is one of those topics that seems to come up—conveniently—every election cycle, and I get asked about it quite a bit. Many people wonder how Judaism views this deeply complex issue. While it’s true that most Jews lean pro-choice, and that view is supported by Jewish texts and tradition, the conversation within Judaism is much more nuanced. It reflects our tradition’s deep concern for life, moral responsibility, and compassion. In Jewish thought, as with so many topics, abortion is … [Read more...]
A few thoughts on you becoming a Bat Mitzvah
Naama – I love you and am so proud of you. I imagine you get most of your wit and personality from your mother, but I will certainly take credit for some of your humor and all of your colorful language. You were a gift to us from the moment you were born and while there are always hills and valleys to cross in life, you are a unique and special soul and I am so proud of you. Naama – you become a bat mitzvah at one of the most critical moments in Jewish History. Perhaps aside from the Shoah, the … [Read more...]
Kol Nidrei 5783 – The Future of Judaism in Omaha
When I meet new people, one of the questions I often ask is “what keeps you up at night”. The question “What wakes you up in the morning” is similar, but that can be passion and energy. “What keeps you up at night” tells me what concerns you, it tells me what worries you, it tells me what you haven’t yet figured out how to fix. Tonight, I want to talk about what keeps me up at night as I need your help…not with sleeping pills or a better pillow, but with your actions, your advice, your … [Read more...]
Rosh Hashanah – The Torah of Ted Lasso
I’m a creature of habit, I have a consistent daily routine, I like eating at roughly the same restaurants, I snack on the same foods (healthy or not), I drink the same drink…and I watch the same show, The West Wing, every night before I go to bed. I prefer, no matter how many years since the show has aired, to live in a world where Jed Bartlet is president. I sleep better at night knowing that Tobey, Sam, Josh, and CJ are briefing the president and that Leo is making sure the trains run on … [Read more...]
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