July 21, 2014 – Jerusalem, Israel I was filled with emotions as I boarded my flight to Israel last night. Excited to see friends and colleagues, but also anxious to see and hear for myself about the situation on the ground. I was immediately excited by the shear number of people aboard my flight…fear was not holding people back. Upon landing in Israel I began to notice one slight difference from all my other visits, the country appeared to be quieter. Almost as if the country is tuned in to … [Read more...]
Agree or Disagree with Israel…Apathy is not an option!
Shabbat Pinchas 5774 I once had a teacher that looked at his students and proclaimed that we were free to agree with his views or, should we so choose, to disagree. What was not allowed was to say “I don’t care.” To agree or to disagree was to forge an opinion, to say I don’t care, to be apathetic is to stand on the sidelines. Perhaps Elie Wiesel said it best: “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s … [Read more...]
Jewish Camp Trend-Spotting: 10 Ways a Summer Ritual Is Changing – Forward.com
Jewish Camp Trend-Spotting: 10 Ways a Summer Ritual Is Changing – Forward.comBy far the best part of my job is when I get to visit our youngest congregants at Jewish summer camp. It is an infusion of Jewish identity that our youth cannot get anywhere else. It’s a privilege getting to spend a few days with them, and seeing their joy in being Jewish. … [Read more...]
Pidyon Shvuyim – The Ransoming of Captives
In Jewish tradition there is a rabbinic mandate to ransom captives (pidyon shvuyim), to bring them home to their families. This mitzvah (commandment) is fleshed out in Tractate Bava Batra 8b. The debate over pidyon shvuyim is one of the most hotly debated in Israeli politics. The conversation of how many live terrorists to trade for one soldiers life or as it has happened in the past, how many live terrorists to trade for the body of an Israeli soldier so he can be finally be given a Jewish … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday Naama
In May 2011 I was ordained by the Jewish Theological Seminary. I thought, at the time, that the title of Rabbi was the greatest title I could ever earn. Then on June 9, 2011, only a few weeks later, our daughter Naama was born and I quickly realized the nothing beats the title of Abba. Thank you for learning to love sports, being the best running partner, teaching me to enjoy tea parties and for making me watch frozen. Happy Birthday Naama … [Read more...]
Parshat Naso – 5774 Adult Bnai Mitzvah Class
This morning was one of the most meaningful shabbat services at Beth El since I arrived. While the davening was beautiful and the kiddish was delicious my joy came from watching three members of our adult bnai mitzvah class proudly take an aliyah and read Torah. It was inspiring to see three adults, all with different backgrounds study with our Hazzan on a weekly basis to reach this point. What made the day even more special was that all three individuals had their children, all of whom are … [Read more...]
Camps Build Robots And Ruach | The Jewish Week
Camps Build Robots And Ruach | The Jewish Weekwhen did the fact that the camp was Jewish stop being enough of a specialty? at one time i felt strongly that specialized Jewish camps would lead to the end of Jewish camping. that specialization would lower the number of kids attending Ramah, Herzl, OSRUI …etc as no one would want to simply attend “Jewish” camp anymore, campers would flock to Jewish Science camp or Jewish Sports camp. What do you think, does specialization … [Read more...]
Peres, Abbas to pray for peace at Vatican on June 8
Peres, Abbas to pray for peace at Vatican on June 8The world needs a new broker of peace in the middle east and while I am skeptical as to the outcome, the Pope has impressed me with his first step. “I offer my home in the Vatican as a place for this encounter of prayer… to join me in heartfelt prayer to God for the gift of peace,” he said. “Building peace is difficult, but living without peace is a constant torment,” he added. Perhaps the conversation needs to start with prayer and see where … [Read more...]
Orthodox Rabbi Stuns Agudath Gala With ‘Heresy’ Attack on Open Orthodoxy
Orthodox Rabbi Stuns Agudath Gala With 'Heresy' Attack on Open OrthodoxyWhile much will be written about the remarks made by Rabbi Yaakov Perlow, the leading rabbi of Agudath Israel of America, regarding liberal Judaism, no one should be surprised. Yet what I find fascinating is that Open Orthodoxy is not a term many in the haredi community are familiar. If “all press is good press” than the Open Orthodox movement, led by Rabbi Avi Weiss, won the day. Perhaps, Rabbi Perlow instead … [Read more...]