Jewish Relationships Initiative

Shabbat Shalom

As we welcome Shabbat and read from Ki Tetzei, the musical connector is Lecha Dodi. Based on a verse from Isaiah, we are told "Dont be ashamed" despite the trials of the week, welcome the comfort of Shabbat....

Shabbat Shalom As we welcome Shabbat and read from Ki Tetzei, the musical connector is Lecha Dodi. Based on a verse from Isaiah, we are told “Dont be ashamed” despite the trials of the week, welcome …

The Kippah on My Head Is Not a Target on My Back

Should I take off my kippah? I first asked myself that question years ago, before a trip to Hungary....

The Kippah on My Head Is Not a Target on My Back Should I take off my kippah? I first asked myself that question years ago, before a trip to Hungary. Viktor Orbán was reaching for power by invoking an old script, the anti-Semitic tropes his count…

What Happens to the Stragglers? Parsha Ki Tetzei

Why does a portion overflowing with civil law stop, in the middle of everything else, to tell you how to build your roof?...

What Happens to the Stragglers? Parsha Ki Tetzei Why does a portion overflowing with civil law stop, in the middle of everything else, to tell you how to build your roof? When you build a new house, Torah says, put a ma’akeh, a guardrail, on the …

Shabbat Shalom : Justice – Shoftim,

“The most urgent imperative in Devarim: justice, justice — pursue it. Dylan has been asking the same question his entire life....

Shabbat Shalom : Justice – Shoftim, “The most urgent imperative in Devarim: justice, justice — pursue it. Dylan has been asking the same question his entire life. So has Torah. This Shabbat, both voices together, with the artistry of…

One Honest Email

I was on a gurney, waiting to be wheeled into surgery. My doctors were confident, and the odds were strongly in my favor, but even good odds are not certain, and my mind knew the difference....

One Honest Email I was on a gurney, waiting to be wheeled into surgery. My doctors were confident, and the odds were strongly in my favor, but even good odds are not certain, and my mind knew the difference. My wif…

Why does justice have to be chased? Parshat Shoftim

Tzedek tzedek tirdof, says Moses in this week's Parshah, Shoftim. Justice, justice shall you pursue. Not achieve....

Why does justice have to be chased? Parshat Shoftim Tzedek tzedek tirdof, says Moses in this week’s Parshah, Shoftim. Justice, justice shall you pursue. Not achieve. Not establish. Pursue, tirdof, the same root you’d use for chasing some…

Shabbat Shalom

Re'eh-See. This Shabbat we read the parsha asking us to see what's going on, to choose the blessing instead of the curse....

Shabbat Shalom Re’eh-See. This Shabbat we read the parsha asking us to see what’s going on, to choose the blessing instead of the curse. Playing for Change shares this cover of Marvin Gaye’s cl…

Re’eh · O Say, Can You See?

My father kept one of those hokey maxims framed on his office wall: “When you are up to your a** in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your initial objective was to drain the swamp.” I used to smile at it and move on....

Re’eh · O Say, Can You See? My father kept one of those hokey maxims framed on his office wall: “When you are up to your a** in alligators, it’s hard to remember that your initial objective was to drain the swamp.” I used to …

Eikev- Gratitude-Shabbat Shalom

This Shabbat Parshat Eikev gives us many things to contemplate. Foremost is gratitude. v’achalta v’savata u’veirachta: you shall eat and be satisfied and bless....

Eikev- Gratitude-Shabbat Shalom This Shabbat Parshat Eikev gives us many things to contemplate. Foremost is gratitude. v’achalta v’savata u’veirachta: you shall eat and be satisfied and bless. The obligation to feel gratitude i…

Parshat Eikev — “My Power and the Might of My Hand”

Every success we’ve ever had, we tell ourselves we earned outright. Ourselves alone. Our sweat, our sleepless nights, our nerve....

Parshat Eikev — “My Power and the Might of My Hand” Every success we’ve ever had, we tell ourselves we earned outright. Ourselves alone. Our sweat, our sleepless nights, our nerve. It is almost never true, and Parshat Eikev names the lie for what it…