by Rabbi Dr. Dov Maimon Despite everything they have in common, the Israeli Jewish experience differs greatly from the Diaspora Jewish experience. The two communities don’t always have the same interests or find the same issues compelling, and they disagree on quite a few matters, both those relating to values
Webinar on Tuesday, January 12, 5pm PT, 8 pm ET. The first 100 days of the new Administration and the 117th Congress can be a breakthrough moment for action to put us on a sustainable and just path. Learn what Jews can do from Rep. Mike Levin(CA49), Rebecca Leber,
Last fall, Rabbi Rain Zohav, Director of Jews of the Earth, led an intergenerational program at the Mishkan Torah Synagogue in Greenbelt, MD. Rabbi Rain served as the Education Director on how to reduce our carbon footprint. The format of the day was organized like this: – Meeting with both
A Conference for Rabbis and Cantors Dedicated to Renewing Judaism Jews of the Earth, also known as J.O.T.E., had a very visible presence at the Ohalah Conference which was held in January 2020. Before the planning for the conference started, the members advocated for the theme to be about the
~by Richard Schwartz Vegans and vegetarians eat plant-based diets. Vegetarians eat no animal flesh, while vegans also avoid dairy products and eggs, and many do not wear leather, fur, or silk. Many vegans and vegetarians avoid involvement in any activity that involves the mistreatment of an animal. Some people may
~by Judith Felsen, Ph.D. In rendezvous with You dare I reveal, express the self behind the mask, the one not dressed in Yom Tov finery, but quarantined instead in tattered garb, clutching remnants of protection combat refugee within and out, who journeyed through the year bracing challenge, tasks You offered?
by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen The world is on fire, laying waste to forest and city. G!d is my life-force and my wholeness: whom would I fear? (Ps. 27:1)** May we remain ready and willing to engage with the world. The ice sheets are collapsing, and
by Richard Schwartz Rosh Hashanah commemorates God’s creation of the world. The “Ten Days of Repentance” from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur is a period to evaluate our deeds and to do teshuvah (repentance) for cases where we have missed the mark. Sukkot is a holiday in which we leave our fine
by Rabbi Robin Damsky ~ Burning. I am consumed by the burning. I lived in Santa Barbara and other parts of California for about 20 years. I remember the Painted Cave Fire in 1991 that started on “The Pass” – the way we Santa Barbarans referred to the San Marcos
by Rosie Rosenzweig At my land’s end, the Burning Bush began an early blush this past July when its bright green leaves were to be made bold by summer.It, like me, is aging quickly towards some end not yet in sight.Now, only the hydrangea tree blooms. Gone are the fulsome
by Joan Rachlin During the Passover Seder we ask “Why is this night different from all other nights?” and we then spend the evening answering the four – and more – questions. Reciting the plagues, remembering enslavement, identifying with the “other,” and rising up against abuse of power are four
by Rabbi David Seidenberg According to tradition this day (the 25th of Elul) is when the Creation of the world began – six days before Rosh Hashanah. According to the Mishnah, every person should believe, “the world was created for my sake”. (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5) But what does this mean?
by Rabbi Louis Polisson I sit and look out over the green grass The grove of trees just in front of me, to the left I sing Adamah ve-shamayim [earth and sky] Ḥom ha-eish [heat of fire] Tz’lil ha-mayyim [sound of water] Ani margish zot [I feel this] Be-gufi [in my body] Be-ruhi [in my spirit]
by Carol Reiman The river sings to you, the voice of clear water, of ripples, of force over stones. Listen further, to sounds of children splashing in the great heat, where the flow is sullied from the waste of carelessness and greed. The gasping of those weakened by asthma in
by Daniel Kieval The Hebrew letters of “Elul” are said to spell out ani l’dodi v’dodi li — I am for my beloved and my beloved is for me. I invite you to listen to this song as a message of love being sung uniquely to you — perhaps from the Divine,
by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen לְדָוִ֨ד ׀ יְה ׀ אוֹרִ֣י וְ֭יִשְׁעִי מִמִּ֣י אִירָ֑א יְה מָֽעוֹז־חַ֝יַּ֗י מִמִּ֥י אֶפְחָֽד׃ Of David. Adonai is my light and my help; whom should I fear? Adonai is the stronghold of my life, whom should I dread? (v.1) Of David, God is my life-force and my
by Judith Felsen, Ph.D. Is this You? Your eyes behind the mask search lights beaming, bridging gaps of social distance, gazes merge in glances momentary soul connection Is this You? Body wracked breath ventilated clinging to existence space suited team in rescue heroism humbly shared facing of death Is
by Rabbi Margaret Frisch Klein Six months Inside, a cocoon Finding my authentic self Learning and relearning new skills Baking challah Chanting Torah Painting seascapes Planting Herbs for more flavor Cucumbers for pickles And tomatoes I’ve never done well at gardening But this year This year Success! There, right there
by Rabbi Susan Elkodsi At a retreat two years ago, I was inspired by Rabbi Katy Allen’s “walking in nature” Shacharit meditation. I believe there’s power in being in nature, as Rabbi Nachman said, but it has been difficult for many during this pandemic. These photos were all taken by
by Chaplain Rabbi Dr Leslie Schotz On this journey of life our 2020 vision Forced us to look above our reflections And mask the face we present to the world. As walking treepeople of the earth we were called to acknowledge the microcosms of life and death and staring us
