U.S.
Reform seminary inaugurates first non-rabbi as president
Andrew Rehfeld has been inaugurated as the new president of the Reform movement’s rabbinical school — the first non-rabbi to take the post. Rehfeld, an…
Torah
Adam and Eve — and why we control our own morality and destiny
The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek. Bereishit Genesis 1:1-6:8 The second chapter in the book of Genesis presents…
Jew in the Pew
Tashlich in spaaaaaaaacce!
They call it Tashlich in Space. The website puts it succinctly: “Reflect. Renew. Blastoff.” That’s right, this year you can (belatedly) send your sins up…
Torah
In the sukkah, as in life, we are both vulnerable and safe
The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek. Sukkot Chol Hamoed Numbers 29:23-31 Ezekiel 38:18-39:16 Ten months after the…
Bay Area
Oakland City Council’s Rebecca Kaplan preaches Torah, progressive politics
At 29, Rebecca Kaplan decided to run for Oakland City Council. She was a Stanford Law graduate and had volunteered on Sen. Ted Kennedy’s re-election…
Sukkot
Sukkahforce! Sukkot underway at Salesforce Park
For the first time, software giant Salesforce is celebrating Sukkot by erecting a sukkah at Salesforce Park, the tree-lined public green space stretching…
Jew in the Pew
A very Berkeley lulav and etrog
The lulav and the etrog. One week a year, we shake this magic rainstick and its citrus companion in the air. During the harvest festival of Sukkot, we…
Sukkot
The etrog is Judaism’s best-kept wellness secret
For most Jews, the etrog is relegated to a fleeting, supporting role. Held beside the lulav (palm frond) once a year during the festival of Sukkot (Oct.…
Torah
‘Tsur Israel’ is more than a nod to God. It’s a moral exhortation.
The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek. Where: Tel Aviv When: May 14, 1948 Who: The drafters of the Israeli…