Our society is plagued by increased polarization, distrust and animosity toward the “other.” Our body politic and our social fabric are being torn apart by a dysfunctional democratic discourse in desperate need of healing. In fact, as a recent PRRI survey revealed and New York Times article discussed, “a striking 91 percent of people said … that…
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Jewish Life
Parenting
Why I let my 7-year-old run to the store on his own
I was baking cookies with my kids on a recent Saturday afternoon, and realized we were low on butter. I handed my 7-year-old son, Nate, a five-dollar…
Religion
New grants pay Orthodox synagogues to hire women as spiritual leaders
A new initiative is paying Orthodox synagogues to hire female spiritual leaders. The Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance announced Sunday that it is giving…
Organic Epicure
Israel is culinary center for chef with global palate
Quite a few Israeli-born chefs work in the Bay Area, riding the wave of popularity that Israeli cuisine is currently enjoying. Aliza Grayevsky Somekh is…
Small Bites
Boichik Bagels opening soon; kosher challah delivery; Mizrachi dinners
Insiders knew that the doors of Boichik Bagels would open on Halloween to trick-or-treaters, and many stopped by for a sampling of bagels and a shmear…
Recipe
Oh my gourd: 2 punchy pumpkin recipes for fall
You might not realize it, but pumpkins are featured in many Jewish culinary traditions. What you do know is that, here in America, pumpkins and…
Local Voice
The tweets of Twitter vs. the chirps of Torah
Twitter is a mosaic of madness. — Ad in BART station A lot of “sound” comes out of Twitter. From social justice advocates to teenagers to professional…
Talking With ...
Q&A: How he wins the trust of homeless residents of People’s Park
Ari Neulight is the outreach coordinator in the School of Social Welfare at UC Berkeley, a position created two years ago. Neulight, 45, provides direct…
Organic Epicure
While he sells their produce, farmers are freed up to farm
Food coverage is supported by a generous donation from Susan and Moses Libitzky. Jim Baum could not be a better poster child for the eat local movement,…