Podcast: What do Cats Have to do with Interfaith Work?
My Jerusalem: A Personal Reflection
Under the glare of the midday desert sun, I gaze at the life teeming below me. From my perch on the ramparts, I can see the sun sparkling off the brilliant gold of the Dome of the Rock. Jewish men and... Read More
My Challenge This Ramadan
Each Ramadan, I set myself a challenge. How and what can I improve this year? For Ramadan to me is about setting and overcoming challenges in an attempt to progress spiritually and become a better... Read More![Public Displays of Religiosity [PDR] & Interstate Theology](https://i0.wp.com/stateofformation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo1.jpg?resize=542%2C340&ssl=1)
Public Displays of Religiosity [PDR] & Interstate Theology
Last week my daughter (age 9), son (age 13), my dog (5 years old in human years), and I made a long, relocation trip across the United States. This fall I begin as a PhD candidate and Research Assista... Read More
Ramadan and Mindfulness
The sun begins to fade behind the hills. We hear the Adhan, the Muslim call to prayer, in the distance, signaling the end of the fast. I take a large swig of water and eat a soft date. The flavors alm... Read More
An Open Letter to President Lindsay of Gordon College
This article was first published at “NEWSPEAK,” a blog for POLITICS, RELIGION, AND EDUCATION. The recent ruling from the Supreme Court pertaining to the Hobby Lobby challenge to specific forms ... Read More
Ethically Lost
A few years ago, my family was attending an out-of-town reunion in a tiny and strangely laid out town in Indiana. Being big believers in carpooling, we drove to all of the various events together, pac... Read More
Living A Dual Religious Identity
Managing Editor’s note: all Contributing Scholars begin writing by answering the following question as their first post: Why are you committed to building relationships with those from different... Read More
Why Are There So Many Secret Atheists?
Recently I attended a meeting for atheists and agnostics. The primary purpose of the group, as I understand it, is to function as a community of support. To start the meeting everyone was asked to int... Read More
Mourning Our Way to the World to Come
One of the things I love most about Judaism is how we mourn. We do keriya, a physical tearing of our clothes to materially represent our pain. We recite kaddish yatom, a prayer that requires a group o... Read More