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...]

There's something I've been wrestling with deeply in recent weeks, something personal yet profoundly communal. As a parent, a rabbi, and a Jew, I find myself reflecting on the unique significance of Israel in our lives. Israel isn’t a vacation spot. It isn’t merely an option or a checkbox on a list of travel destinations. Israel is home—not figuratively, not symbolically, but truly, deeply, eternally home. And home, especially when it hurts, is worth standing up for. Israel: More Than … [Read more...]

It’s never been easy to raise a Jew, but today, it feels harder than ever. To be Jewish now is to live inside complexity and contradiction. It means navigating pride and frustration, hope and heartbreak, love and critique—all at once. It’s about holding Israel close, embracing it deeply as our ancestral home, even while acknowledging its imperfections and wrestling openly with its moral and political struggles. And yet, there’s a deep courage and authenticity in standing proudly within … [Read more...]

Every Passover, at the heart of our Seder, we teach our children that asking questions is sacred. The very structure of the night revolves around the “Ma Nishtanah”—the child's brave questioning. Embedded in this ritual lies the powerful wisdom that Judaism flourishes when we encourage questioning, dialogue, and personal ownership. But let’s be honest. Somewhere along the way, our communities have struggled to genuinely live this truth. I think often of our Conservative movement—founded with … [Read more...]

https://www.thecut.com/article/a-swastika-scandal-hits-omaha-fashion-week.html There are moments when a headline stops you in your tracks—not because it is violent or tragic, but because it is deeply disorienting. That was the case when I read about the recent scandal at Omaha Fashion Week, where a model walked the runway wearing a jacket that prominently featured what appeared to be a swastika on the back. The designer, Kelli Molczyk, has since claimed the symbol was inspired by an … [Read more...]