RJ Blog

L’hitraot, for Now...

After four years of bringing you a new episode nearly every week, this podcast is taking a little break. Listen to this episode to learn more about our hiatus and where to find us in the meantime.

The Antidote to Kvetching

Most of us today aren’t tasked with wandering through the desert, like the ancient Israelites were... but we still find plenty to kvetch about! What if, instead of focusing on small annoyances, we turned to community-building and togetherness? This episode first aired in May 2018.

URJ Youth

Reading Dinah’s Story After October 7

Reading Dinah’s Story After October 7

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler

jemerman
In the wake of the brutal Hamas attack against the villages and kibbutzim along the southern border of Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza and Lebanon, there has been a flood of new Hebrew poetry published on various platforms. One such poem is "Dinah" by poet and literature professor Smadar Falk Peretz, which was published in the online journal Gluyah in early 2024. It responds to the horrors of October 7th using Dinah's story from Parashah Vayishlach, and from an unabashedly female point of view.

Rachel’s Daughter, Joseph

Rachel’s Daughter, Joseph

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Dr. Wendy Zierler

jemerman
Early on in Parashat Vayeishev (Genesis 37:2), Joseph is described in grammatically anomalous fashion as "vehu na'ar et b'nei Bilhah ve'et b'nei Zilpah" - and he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah.

On the Other Hand

Union for Reform Judaism Appoints Jen Algire as Executive Vice President 

Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), announced today that Jen Algire will join the URJ’s executive leadership team as Executive Vice President.

Over 5,000 Jews and Allies Sign Letter Urging President-Elect Trump to Govern with Justice, Democracy, and Rule of Law

More than 5,000 individuals from the Reform Jewish Movement and its allies have signed a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, spotlighting key policy issues and praying that in his next term, he will advance the principles of justice and commitment to rule of law that have been sources of strength for our nation.

RJ Blog Social Justice

The Brutalist: A Jewish Immigrant Saga for the Ages

The Brutalist: A Jewish Immigrant Saga for the Ages jemerman

Arts and Culture
Photo of Adrien Brody in a scene from the movie "The Brutalist"
Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" opens with Hungarian architect, Jewish Holocaust survivor, and soon-to-be freshly minted U.S. immigrant László Toth in the shadowy depths of a ship headed into New York Harbor.

Proud JEWS

Proud JEWS jemerman

Antisemitism and Hate Crimes
Photo of the words "Proud Jews" written in chalk on the sidewalk
Right before Sukkot, I noticed the word "JEW" carved into my sidewalk. I began to grind out the word, but rather decided to replace the space by adding "Proud JEWs" to the sidewalk.

RJ Blog Jewish Life

What’s So Jewish About Voting?

What’s So Jewish About Voting? jemerman

Judaism teaches us that voting is not just a civic duty. In fact, throughout Jewish history, many of our rabbis and sages have framed voting as a mitzvah.

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community jemerman

Women's Rights
White flag with purple ribbon on it representing domestic violence awareness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in the U.S. Each of us likely knows someone, either in our Jewish community or our secular communities, who has been impacted by or is a survivor of domestic violence.

RJ Blog Practice

What’s So Jewish About Voting?

What’s So Jewish About Voting? jemerman

Judaism teaches us that voting is not just a civic duty. In fact, throughout Jewish history, many of our rabbis and sages have framed voting as a mitzvah.

Eight Hebrew Words and Phrases You Can Use Every Day!

Eight Hebrew Words and Phrases You Can Use Every Day! jemerman

Jewish Learning
an image of a bunch of color hebrew letters
Learning new words and phrases can be enjoyable, but when they're in a new language, they can also be daunting. If you'd like to build your own Jewish vocabulary, here are a few words and phrases that you can use in everyday conversation.

RJ Blog Learning

Proud JEWS

Proud JEWS jemerman

Hanukkah
Photo of the words "Proud Jews" written in chalk on the sidewalk
Right before Sukkot, I noticed the word "JEW" carved into my sidewalk. I began to grind out the word, but rather decided to replace the space by adding "Proud JEWs" to the sidewalk.

Broadcasting the Miracle of Fat Liberation

Broadcasting the Miracle of Fat Liberation jemerman

Hanukkah
Photo of a menorah with 7 candles lite
At Fat Torah, Hanukkah is our favorite holiday. Hanukkah in particular is a holiday that celebrates fat. On Hanukkah, we remember that miraculous oil that was meant to only last for one day and ended up lighting the rededicated Temple in Jerusalem for eight days. Eating foods fried in oil, in fat, is a key part of this commemoration.

RJ Blog Jewish Holidays

From Simchat Torah to Sichat Torah

From Simchat Torah to Sichat Torah

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Yael Vurgan

jemerman
There is no need to explain why there will be no joy on Simchat Torah this year in the western Negev. The looming first anniversary of the massacre is causing anger, frustration, and despair to flood back. As long as hostages are still held in Gaza, residents of the region are still stuck on October 7.

Resources for Marking the Anniversary of October 7th

Resources for Marking the Anniversary of October 7th jemerman

Israel
Photo of two hands holding a memorial candle, with white label and a blue star of david on it
These materials include readings, interviews, and more that reflect on the year that has passed since the October 7th attacks.

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RJ Blog Israel

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Parenting

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