by Webmaster | Jan 17, 2016 | Holidays, Identity
Many see Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a day off, but for my family, it’s a second birthday. The reason why my family always cherished this day is because in its essence, MLK Jr. Day captures my very existence, and is a reminder for my family that justice, no matter...
by Webmaster | Jan 14, 2016 | Identity
“I would not have you descend into your own dream. I would have you be a conscious citizen of this terrible and beautiful world.” ― Ta-Nehisi Coates, Between the World and Me There are any number of inspirational and uplifting texts in the Bible. In the Five Megillot,...
by Webmaster | Jan 11, 2016 | Identity
As Jews, we know about the power of narrative. The slavery narrative presented in the Book of Exodus and retold around the Passover table is probably the most powerful because it is the foundation of so many Jewish values: faith, compassion and justice, just to name a...
by Webmaster | Jan 5, 2016 | Identity
For many of us going to a new synagogue or Jewish environment is tough. We spend time beforehand wondering if we will know anyone, will we feel comfortable, or something as simple as will anyone say hello to me. For me, this last piece has always been something I’ve...
by Webmaster | Dec 15, 2015 | Holidays, Identity
My wife and I are a multiracial couple. She’s Black. I’m White. Our 4-year-old son is biracial. My wife grew up Christian and converted to Judaism. She is, as they say, a “Jew by choice.” Her choice, to be sure (though, if pressed, I’m sure my mother would say it was...
by Webmaster | Dec 7, 2015 | Holidays, Identity
This year, Hanukkah has special meaning for the Abayudaya Jews of Uganda. Hanukkah is not a major holiday like Shabbat or Passover because it is not written about in the Torah. But its story is important to us. It is a story of the few against the many. It is a story...
