Religion
Oakland synagogue celebrates new year with long-awaited eruv
When is a door not a door? Well, if you’re a member of Beth Jacob Congregation in Oakland and are tasked with helping to make a community eruv, or…
First Person
Even this year, I am excited for my Mizrachi Rosh Hashanah seder
This piece first appeared on Alma. I don’t need to remind you of all the reasons that 2020 has been an incredibly rough year. We could all use a fresh…
High Holidays
Tashlich ritual will give people a rare chance to gather together
Though most High Holiday services are being streamed online this year, a number of Bay Area congregations will come together in person for tashlich, the…
Torah
A blessing or a curse? The choice is yours to make.
The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon. Nitzavim-Vayeilech Deuteronomy 29:9–31:29 The…
U.S.
How risky are these High Holiday activities during the pandemic?
When Passover arrived just a few weeks after the pandemic set in earlier this year, it was clear that seders with families and friends would not be…
Religion
Lecture on booze as a gateway chug into rabbinic thinking
Jordan Rosenblum’s first whiff of the Talmud in college was intoxicating. Now 41 and a professor of Jewish studies and religious studies at the University…
Religion
Covid, race protests, wildfires on tap for High Holiday sermons
Loneliness. Prayer. Brokenness. Breathing. These are some of the themes local rabbis will be addressing in this year’s High Holiday sermons. Traditionally…
High Holidays
Writer Anne Lamott to offer thoughts on courage at Days of Awe event
East Bay synagogue Chochmat HaLev will conclude a six-night program of virtual events for the Days of Awe with an atypical guest: Bay Area writer Anne…
Torah
Bold prayers and broad vision determine the quality of our lives
The Torah column is supported by a generous donation from Eve Gordon-Ramek in memory of Kenneth Gordon. Ki Tavo Deuteronomy 26:1–29:8 The Psalms of David…