Category: Congregation
An Improvised Family: Yom Kippur with Rome’s Progressive Jews
Normally people do not go to Rome to refrain from eating. But it was Yom Kippur, and I was on my way to afternoon services at Beth Hillel, Rome’s new progressive Jewish community. My long walk to th... Read More
When in Rome, Do as the Progressive Roman Jews Do
I was late to Rosh Hashanah services at Beth Hillel, Rome’s new progressive Jewish community. I meant to leave my apartment at 6pm but I scooted out the door by 6:45pm, realizing that the mistake wo... Read More
Partners in Formation and Education
One of my fall responsibilities is getting our confirmation classes up and running. Confirmation, for many Lutheran Christians, is an intensive time of religious education for 7th and 8th graders lead... Read More
“You Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Me”: On Robin Williams, Suicide, Ultimate Concern, and Actual Hope for the Rest of Us, Part I
*TRIGGER WARNINGS* suicide, self-harm, depression Over this past month, prompted by Ramadan, I’ve been thinking about what it means to be a good person in the world. It’s way harder than... Read More
Enough of the “Nice Age”: Why Faith Communities Ought to Be at the Forefront of Advocacy for Immigrants
I love my faith community. But, in a lot of ways, we’re too safe. Granted, we are not unlike any number of faith communities populated by kind, caring people who genuinely desire to worship their Ul... Read More
God loves you?
I recently had my first opportunity to go through the grueling experience known as “applying for a pastoral ministry position.” Going into it, I had no idea that this process would be intense in... Read More
The Valley of the Shadow of Death – Seeking a Jewish Afterlife
A month ago, my mother-in-law’s brother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. Tom (may his memory be for a blessing), was far too young, too healthy, and too committed to his family for anyone ... Read More
The Roman Jewish Vigil for Israel
In the Piazza della Rotunda of the Pantheon, at the heart of Rome, there was a rally in support of Israel held by the historic Roman Jewish community. Traces of trauma from World War II are here, sca... Read More