A few years ago a friend from the congregation called to say that Israel had become a regular topic in her home since her daughter's birthright trip, and the experience reenvigorated her intermarried family's Judaism. I told her how delighted I was, and then asked, "You know I speak about Israel regularly from the pulpit. Why the change now?" She said, "Oh, Mark, as soon as I … [Read more...] about Israel cannot fulfill her role as the truly Jewish State with the Rabbanut in control.
Food for thought
The Kotel agreement – which path shall we choose?
Since the beginning of the rabbinic era Jews have embraced the ideal of creative debate, makhloket l'shem shamayim (M. Avot 5:17), and contrasted it with the political notion of a conflict for self-aggrandizing and strickly political reasons, like Korach's rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). The Report of the Advisory Team for the Issue of Prayer Arrangements at the … [Read more...] about The Kotel agreement – which path shall we choose?
The Kotel compromise agreement – an historic moment?
Is this an historic moment? Only time will tell. I have often wished for the gift of prophecy, alas, it has never been granted. We come to this crossroad in history: the expansion of the praying area of the Kotel and a sort of recognition of liberal Judaism, specifically the Reform and Conservative movements, in the eyes of the current Israeli government. Some would say for … [Read more...] about The Kotel compromise agreement – an historic moment?
Is “V’ahavta l’reyecha komocha” really only about our relations with Jews?
After the tragedy in France, a local woman said to me, "I know the right thing to do, I just don't want to do it." She didn't want to allow Muslims into the U.S. She knew it was wrong. She knew we have for decades protested that had Jews been allowed into the U.S. before WW II hundreds of thousands of lives may have been saved, with millions of Jewish descendants. Now others … [Read more...] about Is “V’ahavta l’reyecha komocha” really only about our relations with Jews?
Strategy: How to most effectively advocate for religious freedom and equality in Israel
Much praise should be extended to Rabbis Rick Jacobs and Steven Wernick for publicly airing the cause of full religious equality in Israel for all. Their exchange with President Rivlin at the 2015 Chanukah event sponsored by the UJA Federation of NY should encourage us to consider the issues they raised and the best strategy to be pursued in order to advance our shared interest … [Read more...] about Strategy: How to most effectively advocate for religious freedom and equality in Israel