Category: Congregation
Traversing Tradition(s) – Diversity in American Judaism
We, American Jews, have a problem. We are often unwilling or unable to see the tremendous diversity of our own community. The truth is: Jews come in all shapes, sizes and colors. There are Jews of eve... Read More
On Creating Communities of Welcome
This drash was originally delivered at Congregation Beth Israel in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 13, 2016. Shabbat shalom!!! Thank you so much for having me in your community this Shabbat. It i... Read More
Come as You Are: Intra-religious dialogue in Christianity and Judaism
Two major intra-religious events have happened recently in the worlds of both Christianity and Judaism: The Pope’s meeting with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, ... Read More
Will They Serve the Fatted Calf on Sabbath? Or, the Prodigal Daughter Returns
The last time I went to synagogue was hell. I had just moved to Jerusalem to do a year long fellowship in Jewish Texts at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and I had never in my life felt so much am... Read More
From Church Programs to Political Action: A Critical Challenge to Christians’ Selective Refrain from Social Movements
Like most single mothers, I could probably spend a lifetime writing books about the unique blessing and difficulty of parenting without a spouse. In 2007, I learned that receiving an educational loan ... Read More
The Earth is the Lord’s
For the first week of 2016, I had the pleasure to join a rabbinic mission to Israel, sponsored by AIPAC’s American Israel Education Foundation and the Michael and Lisa Leffell Foundation. On the... Read More
Calling, Conviction, and Charlie Brown: Confessions of a Chaplain who Likes the Letter “C”
In the recent Peanut’s Movie, Charlie Brown’s younger sister, Sally, remarks that she has completed her last day of school forever. Her jubilation is short lived when Charlie reminds her that wh... Read More
Racial Justice Organizing: Religion of the “Nones”?
I circled the block, looking for a downtown parking spot on a busy weeknight. Everyone else was hurrying home from work, but I was heading out to attend a meeting of the Portland, Oregon chapter of S... Read More