RJ Blog

L’hitraot, for Now...

After four years of bringing you a new episode nearly every week, this podcast is taking a little break. Listen to this episode to learn more about our hiatus and where to find us in the meantime.

The Antidote to Kvetching

Most of us today aren’t tasked with wandering through the desert, like the ancient Israelites were... but we still find plenty to kvetch about! What if, instead of focusing on small annoyances, we turned to community-building and togetherness? This episode first aired in May 2018.

URJ Youth

The Power, and the Permission, to Bless

The Power, and the Permission, to Bless

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz

jemerman May 23, 2023
In this week’s Torah portion, Naso, God provides Moses with instructions on how Aaron and his sons—the kohanim (priests)—should bless the Israelites.

The Opposite of Faith

The Opposite of Faith

D'Var Torah By: Rabbi Leah R. Berkowitz

jemerman May 17, 2023
When I began writing this series of Torah commentaries for ReformJudaism.org I forgot that, because the Reform movement celebrates only one day of Shavuot, we read Parashat Naso over two weeks to align with the traditional calendar of Torah readings. I therefore thought I could skip writing about the sotah ritual—a trial by ordeal for a woman suspected of infidelity.

On the Other Hand

Reform Movement Leaders React to Launch of U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism

The White House's new national strategy to combat antisemitism is a strong and innovative approach in the battle against rising hate in America. We commend President Biden and the Administration for their thorough, all-encompassing whole-of-government effort to produce a strategy that is inclusive and recognizes the diversity and plurality of our Jewish communities and the threats they face online, in their day-to-day lives, and their communal life.

Reform Movement Applauds Results of World Zionist Congress Resolutions Vote

The resolutions notably included an appeal for the Israeli government to refrain from implementing its planned judicial overhaul.

RJ Blog Social Justice

Modern-Day Yenta Makes The Perfect Match On Netflix

Modern-Day Yenta Makes The Perfect Match On Netflix jemerman May 19, 2023

Arts and Culture
an image of Aleeza Ben Shalom, host of Netflix's
As someone who mostly steers clear of reality television in favor of more premium (read: snobbier) fare, I was a little hesitant to check out Netflix’s new reality series, "Jewish Matchmaking."

Together At Sinai: Four Conversion Stories

Together At Sinai: Four Conversion Stories jemerman May 18, 2023

Shavuot
am image of Mt. Sinai in the dessert
On Shavuot, many of us study the Book of Ruth. Lauded by Rabbinic tradition as a righteous convert, Ruth’s story continues to resonate with the experiences of many Jews-by-choice today.

RJ Blog Jewish Life

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community

Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community jemerman October 28, 2022

Women's Rights
White flag with purple ribbon on it representing domestic violence awareness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in the U.S. This year, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) chose the theme of #Every1KnowsSome1 to highlight how common domestic violence is. Each of us may (or likely) knows someone, either in our Jewish community or our secular communities, who has been impacted by or is a survivor of domestic violence.

Grow a Good Citizen

Grow a Good Citizen sdolgov August 15, 2022

Here are some ways to to make a difference by engaging voters and children.

RJ Blog Practice

Take a Tour of the Torah!

Take a Tour of the Torah! jemerman October 4, 2022

Torah usually refers to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Running through these stories is the unique lens through which the Jewish people would come to view their world and their God.

Weaving Together Formal and Lived Jewish Education

Weaving Together Formal and Lived Jewish Education jemerman August 16, 2022

Education
Closeup of a Torah unscrolled on blue fabric
I'm a self-proclaimed book worm. Since I could read, my default setting has been to research anything new at the library before implementing it. However, adulthood has taught me that some of the best lessons are learned after acting and truly living, which is why Rabbi Yanklowitz's perspective so resonates with me. Even so, I always start new adventures by studying.

RJ Blog Learning

Together At Sinai: Four Conversion Stories

Together At Sinai: Four Conversion Stories jemerman May 18, 2023

Shavuot
am image of Mt. Sinai in the dessert
On Shavuot, many of us study the Book of Ruth. Lauded by Rabbinic tradition as a righteous convert, Ruth’s story continues to resonate with the experiences of many Jews-by-choice today.

Dayenu: The Power of Enough-ness

Dayenu: The Power of Enough-ness jemerman March 27, 2023

Passover
an image of two kids at a passover seder; one of them is pouring grape juice into a cup
Last year was my first time celebrating Passover and one of the first times I sang with the congregational choir. One of the songs we performed for the seder was "Dayenu." The choir director explained during practice that in Hebrew, "dayenu" means "enough." I loved the melody of the song and found myself humming the tune as I prepared for Passover.

RJ Blog Jewish Holidays

What We Gain From Interfaith Dialogue: Project Understanding

What We Gain From Interfaith Dialogue: Project Understanding jemerman April 26, 2023

Israel
an image of a group of students who participated in Project Understanding
What happens when you take six Jewish teens and six Catholic teens to Israel? This was the very question that Roger Tilles and the late Fr. Tom Hartman hoped to answer in 1988 when they organized Project Understanding.

Israel at 75: Forging the Path Together

Israel at 75: Forging the Path Together jemerman April 21, 2023

Israel
An image of Meir Shalev, a great novelist, masterful Hebraist, author of dozens of children's books, a symbol of the State of Israel and a combat soldier in the War of Attrition (1967-1970) and the Six-Day War in 1967.
In November 2006, I set out with a pack on my back to walk the Land. I knew that before I enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces, I wanted a more intimate relationship with the country that I had made my home.

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Yom Shlishi, 10 Sivan 5783
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