by Richard Schwartz and Daniel Brook Hope springs eternal. Indeed, it’s always been an integral part of Jewish history, spirituality, and politics. Without hope, there wouldn’t be a Chanukah; without hope, there might not even be a Jewish community. That’s the power of radical hope! Jewish survival is a miracle
[article by Dan Brook, PhD & Richard H. Schwartz, PhD] Hope springs eternal. Indeed, it’s always been an integral part of Jewish history, spirituality, and politics. Without hope, there wouldn’t be a Chanukah; without hope, there might not even be a Jewish community. That’s the power of radical hope! Jewish
Jews can enhance their celebrations of the beautiful and spiritually meaningful holiday of Chanukah by making it a time to begin striving even harder to live up to Judaism’s highest moral values and teachings by moving toward a vegan diet, or at least a vegetarian diet. Here are eight reasons,
My article is co-authored with Daniel Brook, Ph.D. Chanukah commemorates the single small container of pure olive oil — expected to be enough for only one day — which, according to the Talmud (Shabbat 21b), miraculously lasted for eight days in the rededicated Temple. A switch to vegetarianism, and even
The evening of November 8 was the first of the month of Kislev, which means Chanukkah (there are many English spellings!) isn’t far away – it begins on the 25th of Kislev and ends on the 2nd of the month of Tevet. During these days, from today until the end
Many connections can be made between vegetarianism and the Jewish festival of Chanukah: 1. According to the Book of Maccabees, some Maccabees lived on plant foods since they were unable to get kosher meat when they hid in the mountains to avoid capture. 2. The foods associated with Channukah, latkes
This blog is written by guest blogger Leah Schuckit, JCRC Fall 2016 Social Justice Intern. As a young Jewish kid, Hanukkah was my favorite time of the year. I can still remember being in grade school and impatiently waiting for my Hebrew School lessons to turn to the Maccabees
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Photos by Gabi Mezger Eight lights burning, sending out light, sending out heat – the hanukkiah is full. May our hearts be full as well, of light and warmth, allowing us to see in detail both the pain and the beauty of the world.
Text by Rabbi Katy Allen Photo by Gabi Mezger One. What does it mean? One Homo sapiens. One Earth. One G!d. One Universe. One time. One future. What does it take for us to live as ONE? Rabbi Katy Allen is a board certified chaplain and serves as an Eco-Chaplain
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Photo by Gabi Mezger Let the light within us flow, Let our lives flow, and our hearts, and our souls. Shabbat shalom. Rabbi Katy Allen is a board certified chaplain and serves as an Eco-Chaplain and the Facilitator of One Earth Collaborative, a program of Open Spirit.
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Photos by Gabi Mezger A spark of Mystery burns within every single human being, and within every part and parcel of Creation, and every one of those sparks is different. All of the sparks are needed for shleimut –– for total
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Photo by Gabi Mezger What is burning in your heart? What is burning to be expressed? To come out? To be shared with the world? To bring a blaze of light? Whatever it may be… Let it out! Let it come forth! Let
By Guest Blogger Maggie McCarthy, JEI Environmental Intern The winter months provide several occasions for celebration. Hanukkah is the festival of lights and celebrates the victory of the Jewish people over religious persecution. The secular New Year is a time for reflection and renewal. Though we find ample opportunity
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Photos by Gabi Mezger Baruch atah Adonai – Blessed are You Adonai — Blessed is the spark of G!d — of Life, of Light, of Specialness, that burns within your being, within every living being. Blessed is the Spark. Eloheinu melech ha’olam – Our G!d, Sovereign of
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Photos by Gabi Mezger The moon appears in the sky while sunlight still shimmers, the sky can still be called blue, and clouds are visible. In the waning daylight, the reflection of the reflected light we call moonlight sears a bright
Text by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen Photos by Gabi Mezger dark emotions lurk in our hearts heaviness weighs down our souls the night stretches on interminably; we cannot see we are lost hope fades but the picture is incomplete a candle burns piercing the
Richard H. Schwartz The Jewish festival of Chanukah commemorates the miracle of the oil that was enough for only one day, but miraculously lasted for eight days in the liberated Temple in Jerusalem. Hence, this holiday is a good time to consider our own use of fuel and other
by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen On this last night of the Festival of Re-Dedication, we light all eight candles, we complete the “Litany of Harm” and the “Call to Action,” and we add one last item to our list of promises to ourselves for the year to come. Hanukkah Night
by Rabbi Katy Z. Allen On this penultimate night of Hanukkah, we light seven candles, we continue the “Litany of Harm” and the “Call to Action,” and we consider a seventh way to strengthen our resolve to change the world in positive ways. Hanukkah Night 7: The Litany of Harm:
